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I found this article over at www.sportswriter.net about the coverage that we have been giving to the doping issue. I must say that this take is about as original as I have ever heard. It is well worth the read. For the complete post go to www.sportswriter.net

Cheating, Lying, Doping - a philosophy of failure

I’ve been following the coverage of doping in the cycling world over at Bicycle.Net and thinking a bit about the nature and value of sports.

In the 1730s the RamChaL, an Italian Jewish philosopher and Kabbalistic mystic, wrote a guidebook to doping and cheating in sports. Well, he probably didn’t have sports in mind when he originally wrote it, but his insight into the true costs of performance enhancements, drugs, and other forms of cheating speak right to the heart of the subject.

The RamChal taught that a “Good” is only truly good and rewarding if a person knows that he has earned it, and not if he is merely accidentally associated with it. Thus, if everyone gets a gold star, or a plaque saying “worlds greatest”, everyone knows that it really means nothing. In fact, when someone praises you for something that you know you didn’t do, it actually feels kind of cheap and dirty. In contrast, when you dig deep and really struggle and work to accomplish a goal, and those who understand what you’ve put into it acknowledge it, the lift you feel is deep, honest and real. When your opponent grudgingly wipes the dirt from his face, nods, and says “good game” you know you’ve done something. Doesn’t really matter who has the points.

Human beings want to feel meaningful, strong, accomplished. They want to face challenges and through force of character, strength of will and body, teamwork and skill overcome obstacles. Man is driven to climb mountains and know that through his strength he has conquered. Sport is a systematic packaging of obstacles designed to test you, challenge you and refine you.

For The Rest, Go to: www.sportswriter.net.

[ed. note: You may also enjoy an introspective bicycling story by a more contemporary rabbi.]

It all goes to confirm the spiritual nature of human-powered accomplishment through cycling.