Athletics and Ethics in Judaism

Catalog description

This course explores central themes in sports and athletic competition through the lens of Jewish thought, ethics, and character development. Students will analyze memorable moments, stories, and narratives from the world of sports while studying parallel ideas in classical Jewish texts. Drawing on sources from the Bible, Talmudic literature, medieval rabbinic writings, and modern Jewish thinkers of Mussar and Chassidut, the course will investigate how competition, discipline, teamwork, success, and failure illuminate enduring questions about morality and personal growth as a Jew.