The Gladiators

The rabbis of the Talmud, who lived in Roman times, told of a time yet to come, when G‑d will entertain us with a gladiator tournament.

We will watch and we will cheer on the victor. We will gasp as he falls and rejoice as he picks himself up again to continue the battle.

And we will realize that this victor is each one of us, as we were fighting against the darkness in which we were cast as we lived within this world.

Then we will laugh an unbridled laugh.

Then we will know the unbounded delight of our Creator as He watched our victory, here in this world now.

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Duets

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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Wisdom to Heal the Earth is a revolutionary new look at Tikun Olam based on the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

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12 Comments

Refua Yaakov Dov Norfolk September 13, 2019

The Gladiators Omien! Your inspiration has helped me , and dont think it happened overnight.
Its has taken such a long time and so many trials and tribulations.
Now, I really do think I get it. I have that happiness and the laugh I thought I had lost. Yes, it us almost an uncontrollable smile I can't hide and a feeling I have Prayed for Everyday.
May Hashem continue to grant you success in being able to help breakdown those walls and barriers for Everyone.
I cant Explain...dizzy in my head and I feel glad....You've certainly helped me. TY & G'd bless You.
Rock On Rabbi! Reply

Francesca Daughter Agnese and Giovanni, and Mother Alysha Switzerland September 13, 2019

inner Darkness to be overcome by inner Light or Love or Goodness, and outer Darkness to be overcome by outer Light or Power or Strenght, that is everyone may be innerly good plus outerly strong (Wars are the Opposite): Shlom (that is Wellbeing) Reply

Anonymous Camarillo, CA, USA July 4, 2019

Until I read this, I thought everyone agreed that gladiator tournaments were horrible, cruel things and that having humans try to kill each other for entertainment was basically murder.

Saying "G‑d will entertain us with a gladiator tournament" is basically saying G-d has more in common with the Romans in the time of the the Rabbis of the Talmud than with the humans of today. Reply

Tzvi Freeman July 7, 2019

in response to Anonymous:

Actually, the entire quote from the Talmud is that "Those who refrain from attending the 'kenigya" (gladiator duels) will be rewarded in a time to come..."

The rabbis of the Talmud were repulsed by the entertainment of the Romans and did all they could to convince the people not to attend. Reply

Anonymous September 13, 2019

in response to Tzvi Freeman:

This article and reply make me wonder why is G-d “watching” if the “tournament” is repulsive. Also, why would G-d be the designer of the tournament? Why would unbridled laughter and delight be the “desire”? Curious.... Reply

Yehuda R Brooklyn May 14, 2019

Isn't the kanigaya (fight) between the shor habor and the livyuson? Reply

Tzvi Freeman May 14, 2019

in response to Yehuda R:

Yes, and those are representational. The entire issue is discussed at length in Toras Chaim of the Mittler Rebbe, parshas Toldos (beginning 160d). The Rebbe also explained it in several maamarim, but I don't think they are edited. Reply

Yehuda Ringler Brooklyn May 19, 2019

in response to Tzvi Freeman:

Thank you for the source. I looked at it briefly, and intend to study it more thoroughly.
It is, of course, also a literal, physical fight between Behemoth and Leviathan. Reply

MHM PA May 14, 2019

Victory is the taming of ego, of the mind’s chatter, of the animal soul. It is the emergence of peace and tranquility and friendship where there was once war, chaos and antagonism. Reply

James More Seasea City September 30, 2014

What you do today will be who you are tomorrow Repentance now when our creator is near listening to us, so to be inscribed and sealed in the book of life for peace and prosperity this coming year. Reply

zak San Diego September 30, 2014

Atonement requires no fighting There is no victory in the hands of man, as the name of a gladiator is the same as Cain. For victory is truly two men enter the arena and two leave united as friends. That victory is overcoming that is within which divides. The arena one speaks is that of the garden in Eden. For the sword defends man’s return till corrected. That one sees in the meaning, you shall not kill but make life. For one does not kill the Fathers meaning of unity, but we glorifies His Victory of Unity. Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada September 30, 2014

Fight for Life In the spiritual world there is no 'I'.

In this world we are imprisoned by our 'I'

You may appear in the spiritual worrld on the condition you let go of your 'self' and direct your positive energy to connect to others and serve the collective system there.

Through many levels of great challenge we struggle to break the chains to my self.
Until finally we acieve the life of an integrated system of holiness.
Then we bring contentment to our maker. Reply

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