Tiger Woods and Chanukah

nike dropped lanced armstrong amid allegations of doping. ive read that its because "its ok to cheat on your wife as long as you dont cheat on your bike" and thats the world we live in.

Nike Stands By Tiger Nike is being too nice to Tiger Woods. Nike and Tiger go back a long way, 10 years – longer than most marriages! In fact, it's impossible to imagine the golf superstar without the Nike swoosh on his shirt. But now, many sports blogs are saying it is time for Nike to divorce from Tiger.

P.S. I disagree that this does not matter between his personal and professional life. This is more so for him being a public figure. I do agree that the media should be more considerate. I guess this is part of the job description. As we've seen, even HaShem did not hold back to disclose sin when it entered the camp.

As we read in Psalm 51, "...Create a pure heart for me, O G-d, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not away from Your Presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and with a generous spirit sustain me. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Rescue me from blood-guilt, O G-d, G-d of my salvation, let my tongue sing joyously of Your righteousness. O L-rd, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not desire a sacrifice, else i would give it; a burnt-offering You do not want. The sacrifices G-d desires are a broken spirit; a heart broken and humbled, O G-d, You will not despise...." These words as we know were penned by David after his sin which Nathan confronted him concerning Bathsheba. Under the criteria set forth in the article, this would disqualify David from the "hero" category as well. I don't know the whole story about Tiger, but i know that it is yet to be seen if his legacy has been lost for good--as is the case for many others. How he handles this is between him and Ha-Shem. And for us, we can learn the lessons of life and to teach our children accordingly.

I agree that Tiger's legacy has been lost--at least i would have to say for the moment. To be human comes the opportunity to fall. We have seen many in all of history, men of great devotion like the patriarchs, matriarchs, Samuel, David and Solomon and so on to name a few who have garner the type of respect and admiration of people of their days and ours. All of whom as the Torah records had their own battle with sin. We must ask ourselves what then make them unique or worthy of our admiration? I think the answers lies with t'shuva and the stand for righteousness. Each of those mentioned above recognized their moments of weakness and failures and turned to HaShem for cleansing. I think HaShem records these life lessons in the Tanach to show us who we are and who He is. To me, that's the mark of true heroism. To do and be great is only the first step in the equation. What we do as a result of having fallen is the true test of character and holiness. To teach our children otherwise would give them the wrong sense of reality and to devoid them of the valuable lesson of true holiness.

Dear Rabbi Bleech, Shalom U'vracha from Bnei Brak. I want to personally thank you for expressing in words what I was thinking. I read your article with special interest because my beloved late father (z"l) earned his living as a commission salesman representing golf apparel and golf equipment companies. Though my father couldn't play golf due to a back injury suffered in a freak car accident, nevertheless, he supported his family based on the sport of golf. He has been gone for 4.5 years now so I don't have the opportunity of asking him his opinion of Tiger Woods' current troubles. I should ask my mother, though, what she thinks my father would say as they were married and very much in love with each other for 53.5 years until my father passed away two days after his 88th birthday. Thank you again and Shavua Tov.

I don't remember Tiger being elected Pope or President. He is a great golpher, His private life is just that , Private. It's none of my or your business what goes on between He and his wife,. The press and the tabloids need to shut up./

The media bombards us with nonesense that is NOT worthy of print or airtime. You are correct - but in more ways than you say. The media has overdone their focus on him in the first place, since as you say he is "only" a great golfer. Since his persona has been pushed beyond the sports section, so will the negative news about him.

Tiger was NEVER great before getting caught or after. For goodness sake he plays GOLF....what exactly is so "athletic" about using a stick to hit a ball in a hole. And how does this tie into Chanuka?

A good commentary. I note that the portion of Torah which we read today contains the attempted seduction of Yosef by Potifar's wife. Yosef hesitated but, ultimately, when he saw the vision of his father looking at him (According to Gemara) he refused Potifar's advance. Tiger Woods' father was instrumental in his success. Tiger Woods failed to see his father's image and failed to resist the temptations to which he was exposed. I would suspect that there are a few hundred professional golfers who are true to their spouses, and many other famous people as well, but we tend to hear about the failures. Too bad Tiger couldn't have been more like Yosef.

I love it, well said. good food for thought and for living thank you Shalom and happy Chanukah Edgar

I loved reading your thoughts on this subject Rabbi. I thought it was an excellent article and one that we all can learn from. Thank you and Shalom.

The generalization that all liquids readily mix while oil doesn't is not correct. First of al,l how do you define "oil"? Does it mean vegetable/animal derived oils? If so they readily dissolve in "orgnic solvents." Emulsions are readily forme by the use of surfactants. "Isooctane: is a hydrocarbon which will readily dissolve "oils"

Every time I hear a news story about a famous person screwing up in their personal lives, I ask out loud, WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Why is any time being spent in the media discussing someone's PERSONAL foibles? Tiger Woods is a great golfer, so what? Why should that be reported anywhere but the sports section? Certainly his PERSONAL indiscretions are no one's business but his and his families. I blame the media for making this more important than it is. The media bombards us with nonesense that is NOT worthy of print or airtime. I really wish it would stop. Iris

Tiger Woods belongs on the discovery channel. He is represents an animalistic lifestyle. When we submit to enjoying his entertainment, we are acknowledging his prowess and skill. But, it should not got any more glory than the acts of a bird of prey as it ensnares its dinner.

It’s time to accept that athletes are not role models. They’re just models — for everything from sports drinks to running shoes to razor blades to credit cards to peanut butter to Buicks to Wheaties. (MAUREEN DOWD in the New York Times)

People make mistakes, even great golfers. Those who are sincere in their regret and who make demonstrated effort to change/to repair the damage done should be forgiven. However, a single episode of adultery is a mistake which can be forgiven. Unfortunately it looks like adultery is a lifestyle for Tiger Woods. It is oh so unlikely that a man who has had a parade of mistresses like Tiger is going to be able to change. Are we going to suppose that he was unaware that adultery is a sin and that he was guilty of adultery until the media helped him see the error of his ways? I don't think so. So I think this is a dangerous man who has tragically betrayed his wife and family. I suspect that he will continue to do so in the future. Under no circumstances should he be held up as a role model for young people.

There is absolutely no comparison of Tiger Woods to our (l'havdil) great leaders and founders of the Jewish Nation. The greatness we learn from the Torah Giants in the mistakes they made, is that humans, even the greatest ones make mistakes and we should learn from them. Just because Woods is a celebrity should not make him a hero in our eyes. And just because he made a mistake, doesn't mean he should be put on a pedastal as "a great human being who makes mistakes". We shouldn't be shocked at his mistake. What should shock us is how he is idolized for making millions and being an excellent golfer. No one is idolizing him for his great character or charity he gives---there are tons of people who make much less then him and give way more charity, and many other human beings who are not famous, but should be our heroes.

it is a good lesson for all of us as we are the very same people who idolize and then cut down brutally. it is also for our own personal lives...........

I asked God for DIVINE WISDOM. God put AISHHATORAH on my screen. It is with articles as this one that God is filling my mind w tools to learn discernment. i really needed this timely article and its message will empower me to share the turth of Torah w people dear to me.thank you so much. keep these articles coming.

Mr. Woods has admitted his awareness of the seriousness of his misdeeds and apparently has made a statement of Teshuva. According to Torah, that squares him with God (as long as his Teshuva is true). He has asked his wife and the public for forgiveness. Since he had done nothing to me, I don't have to give him forgiveness, but I do with him nothing but the best. I am a human being, I'm not perfect, I understand what it is to sin and ask forgiveness. However, I used to have a sign in my office that read: "Accuracy is my mistake, I never make a motto." Tiger is still very much a hero in my book, even more now than before this incident and I am NOT a golfer.

your artical hit home not for tiger but one ex president bill clinton. so when reading your artical i exchanged bill clinton for tiger . now that was good reading.

King David was a great King and yes, a hero and yes, also someone who sinned. What he did of heroic memory, though, was repent. Time will tell whether Tiger is a genuine hero -not for his "sins" but for what he does to truly repent now and later.

Tiger, Tiger Woods is a man and men have been falling for the bait of women since the beginning of time. He is human,his golf game is a job. How many of our leader has mad the same mistake or husbands we forgive them . Why not Tiger and let our hero be HaShem

If Tiget Woods, or any other celebrity, makes a personal mistake in judgenment what gives the Press and other the right to judge, oher to knock someone down because of their fame. I think the volume of criticusm of Tioger Woods is racial bigotry with a desire to cause a brakup of his marriage to a white woman. If it was a news item, report it and shut up or is it a way of cresating even more news rgsardless of the damage it does to an indivcidual or a marrisage? This has become overblown and it is not news, but cheap gossip by poor reporters.

Tiger Woods just proved that he is human. We made him a hero. In Jewish history, even our heros had flaws (King David). This man does much for others and charity. He tries to put forth a wholesom image. Yes, he may have made a mistake (no one knows what goes on behind closed doors, except G-d and the people there). It is not for us to judge him - only G-d can judge him. Why do we expect sports figures or actors etc... to be role models just because they can play or act. It is just a job. If someone does great things 90% of the time, and slips up 10% does that negate the 90%? I feel sorry for Tiger Woods and his wife. What he did is between them and not for the public.

If Judaism shows anything it is that people are imperfect. Look at Adam Noah Abraham, Isaac and Jacob etc. They are valued for their contributions. God is perfect, people aren't.

I am not a sports fan At All. I think we have done all sports a great disservice by placing these game players in a position of "Idol". Nobody is a perfect everything. The more famous you are and the more resources you have, the easier it is to get into a feeling of entitlement. Evidently Tiger Woods had a flaw in that area. Along with millions of other privileged men as we all know. - - - -- - - - - - I applaud him for accepting responsibility for his actions. I don't absolve him from the wrongdoing. His actions in the future will tell the character of man he is. For all of you who are disappointed in his failings, I think you have worshiped a human idol. You have also failed. Don't be so quick to judge....................................... Let him alone to work out his own problems privately in his own way. He owes us nothing. He entertains us with his game playing talent and receives great rewards for that. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Why is it that people take responsibility for their questionable actions only when they have been found out?

You need to know that confession of indiscretions and a willingness to make amends does NOT GET YOU OFF THE HOOK. The reality of life is THERE ARE AND WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO OUR ACTIONS, even though we express true repentance and sorrow. Know this, Mina.

I believe that Mina has captured the true spirit of Chanukah. While this Chanukah story is one of triumph of spirit, the holiday is actually a minor celebration. The pinnacle of celebration for Jews is Yom Kippur, when we ask forgiveness and atone for our transgressions. As Jacob told his followers at Shechem, "Remove your idols and cleanse yourselves", we need to remember that we created the idol of "Tiger Woods". The fact that he did not live up to our expectations is not his fault, it is ours. All humans transgress. The proof of worthiness is to make amends for our transgressions.

ANONYMOUS'S REPLY NEDDS NO ADDITIONS. MY ONLY CONCERN IS THE CHILDREN. TIGER'S WIFE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED SUCH A PRE-NUP UNLESS $$$$ DIDN'T MEAN MORE THAN LOVE.

I would like to point out that Tiger's very fame and celebrity added to his temptations. Many women tend to seek their own "greatness" through their relationships to the "great." He very likely has been bombarded with offers and it is understandable that he "nibbled the bait." My point here is not so much to judge Tiger as ourselves. By putting him on the pedastal and then kowtowing, we create the circumstances for his fall. We all share responsibility for the world we live in, including the standard of morality AND the environment which encorages or discorages actually living up to them.

Depending on our life goals and values, the people that represent those things that we strive for, become our heroes. To me, the mother that is able to stay patient, level headed, and understanding, in the midst of chaotic moments--that defines hero to me. The father who makes sure to be home for dinner with his family every night--that is heroic. The young college student who pursues learning about their Jewish roots, instead of taking on that extracurricular event to add to their resume-is rising to the occasion. The young first grader who gives up his place on line willingly to the kid who isn't so popular, or makes sure to include him in the game during recess--heroic acts for a great hero in the making. Just because someone is famous and makes millions, and can swing iron gracefully, or catch pigskin onehanded in the endzone, how is that heroic? We as Jews, especially at this time of Chanukah realize that our character, our sacrifice for others, and devotion to G-d is what defines a true hero.

Heroes are not from the moon. They are human too. The fact that he confessed his indiscretion and is ready to make amends makes him my hero forever. Tiger make your peace with God and he will restore all you have lost. Shalom.