If God was the gymnastics judge, losers could win gold. Every four years we are treated to the juxtaposition of the Summer Olympics and Season of Repentance. Both depend heavily on judgment, but very different kinds of judgment. Olympic gymnastics judgment is devoid of mercy. The athlete begins each routine with a perfect score for a flawless routine and then the judges subtract for each imperfection. The drama is the quest for perfection. Once points are lost, they can never be regained.
A New Year essay by Rabbi Steven Lewis ’11, of Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester, was featured in the September 1, 2021 Jewish Journal.
