The newly released book “Exhilarating Torah Insights on Recreation and Vacation” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/
This insightful and thought-provoking book delves into these questions and many more, offering profound insights. With over 50 meticulously crafted essays, it masterfully conveys the Torah’s perspective on recreation and vacation. As an indispensable guide, this work will enable readers to attain a deeper understanding of these important topics.
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Some of the questions discussed in this book are the following.
What role does recreation play in our service of Hashem?
What does the Torah teach us about music?
What lessons can we glean from specific types of recreation, such as sports?
Is there a mitzvah to take a vacation?
What does the Torah say about comedy and humor?
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Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
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Bullfighting and Wrestling
People often seek outlets by attending various events. Sometimes, even if there seems to be no explicit prohibition against attending these events, something about them just doesn't feel right.
R’ Ovadia Yosef[1] was asked if it was permitted from a halachic standpoint to go to a stadium to watch bullfighting. He unequivocally answered that this is completely against the ethos of the Torah.
He explained that bullfighting is part of the culture of sinners and cruel people, which is not in the portion of those who are descendants of Yaakov. As the gemara[2] says there are three identifying marks of a Jew: merciful, bashful and they do acts of kindness… In bullfighting, the bull is starved and tortured before entering the arena and after they incite him… and we are taught that it is forbidden for a person to eat before he gives food to his animal.[3] Also, the gemara[4] recounts that Rebbe once instructed his maidservant who was sweeping up baby weasels that were on the floor to leave them be and quoted the pasuk v’rachamav al kol ma’asav, His mercy is upon all His creations.[5] They then said in Heaven since he shows mercy, let us show mercy to him… One who enters a stadium to watch bullfighting and pays the entrance fee is a friend to a destructive person and is mesaye’a yedei ovrei aveirah,[6] assisting those who commit transgressions…To go where people enjoy themselves on the cruelty of pain of animals implants that trait in the people who enjoy it and they destroy their souls. It is a mitzvah to promulgate not to attend such events.
Moving onto wrestling, a camp counselor once asked R' Mordechai Finkelman if he could go to a nearby wrestling match. R' Finkelman responded with a question: “You want to watch people hurt each other?” The counselor admitted he did. Rabbi Finkelman continued, “I’ve never been to a wrestling match, but I’m sure the crowd cheers and shouts things like, ‘Hit him again!’ Am I right?” The counselor nodded. Rabbi Finkelman then said, “That’s barbaric. A Jew should feel pain when someone else is hurt.”
[1] Yechaveh Daas 3:66. In 1972, R' Ovadiah Yosef began hosting the halachah corner, a Friday radio show on Kol Yisrael Radio (see Yabia Omer, Volume 9, Orach Chaim 64) in which he fielded caller’s halachic questions. The program ran for around 13 years (Yechaveh Daas, Volume 6, Introduction) and had tens of thousands of listeners (Yechaveh Daas, Volume 1, Introduction). The six-part Yechaveh Daas series is a compilation of these questions and answers.
[2] Yevamos 79a.
[3] Brachos 40a.
[4] Baba Metzia 85a.
[5] Tehillim 145:9.
[6] See Gittin 61a and Avoda Zara 55a.
