Derek Redmond and Yom Kippur
As I prepare for Yom Kippur, I keep thinking about the video below about Derek Redmond. Derek was a British sprinter, who broke records and won gold medals. His most famous moment, however, came when he finished last place in the 400 meter semi-finals in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Midway through the race, he tore his hamstring and hit the floor. Instead of getting on the stretcher, he somehow stood up and began limping to the finish line in excruciating pain. The crowd rose to their feet to cheer him on. Then, one man jumped on the track and dashed towards Redmond. He came up behind him and grabbed his arm. Derek turned around to see his father, who hugged him and helped him finish the race.
The mistake we make on Yom Kippur (and in life) is that we see God as a stranger. We see him as a judge behind a bench or a king on a throne. While that is surely a role He plays, that’s not who He is. God is our dad. He is our father. He doesn’t sit behind a table, He stands behind his children.
Yom Kippur is a day when we realize that in the true race of life, the race of spirituality and true inner greatness, we sometimes stumble and fall. We are human and we fail. We let people down. We say the wrong things. We hurt others and ourselves. We are down on the track and are losing the race.
However, all God wants is for us to get up. To push through our emotions that have been holding us back all year and stand up. To take responsibility for our actions. To resolve to be nicer, kinder and holier. To commit to learn more about who we can be. To promise ourselves that this year we will push for more than material success.
Once we do that, once we stand up and limp down the track, we turn around and realize that He is right behind us. He is holding us up and guiding us to the finish line.
The true feeling of Yom Kippur is joy. It’s an inner happiness we feel when we exert ourselves to start down the right path in life and realize that the Judge, the King, the Creator of the Universe is really just our father helping us become who we deep down know we can be.
Here is a Derek Redmond video that someone sent me. It gets me every time I watch it.
- Posted in: Spirituality
- By : Charlie Harary
- Comments: 14
- 09/20/2012
October 07, 2011 at 2:36 pm, shira chana said:
oh my gosh charlie! the tears finally came. this really hit home, meaning something more to me than anyone else. im going to try to finish my race and if the pain gets too hard and i really wanna quit im gonna try to remember this video and watch it over and over again. i think i just have to constantly remember that god can help me finish my race if im not strong enough to do it alone. all i have to do is tell Him that.
October 07, 2011 at 2:39 pm, N said:
i have never seen this video. thank you so much for telling me of this inspirational video
October 09, 2011 at 4:13 am, rivka malka said:
I’m reading this after YOmKippur but I still feel like it cam ejust in time. Spending time on Yom Kippuer feeling like that child made me realize how I need my Father more then ever to accomplish anything. Thanks for bringing this image to us. It’s so powerful
October 10, 2011 at 12:20 am, A said:
It is sometimes hard going before Hashem asking Him for different things when there are so many tragedies going on around us. Standing in shul, I felt like a child with a wish list of all the toys I want, even if some of them were to be alleviated of pain I am experiencing. I do not know the grand picture. How can I ask G-d for something…He is running the world…I should ask Him to run it differently? I heard a similar point from Rabbi Spero, about coming before Hashem with a plan in a specific area. This helped stay in focus in working on ones self and reminding myself that all I have to do is take the step and Hashem will help me with the rest.
Thank you for sharing the moving video and article. I check the site often and share your inspiration with my family.
October 27, 2011 at 3:36 pm, Yitzchok said:
G-D wants us to be the best we can be. He is aware that the tests of our daily life are not easy. He understands that we are human and may stumble. However, he wants us to succeed and win in this life. He is always on our side, even when we are not aware of his presence. By believing in G-D and accepting his complete forgiveness on Yom Kippur for our past mistakes, we are heads and shoulders above the mass of humanity that unfortunately does not believe this. We have to sincerely accept the gift of forgiveness. We have to internalize this, move on and strive to be better than we were.
October 27, 2011 at 4:57 pm, Gerda said:
thank you so much for sharing this. I am in great need for this. thanks
October 28, 2011 at 6:25 am, Faigy G. said:
Thank you Mr. Harary for posting such an amazing, moving, inspiring & emotional video. I really enjoyed this video!! It literally brought me to tears & it gave me much to think about in terms of putting my life into perspective.
Thanks so much again for the inspiration!!!!!
A very Git Chodesh & a Git Shabbos to you & your family!!
November 06, 2011 at 7:46 pm, Abe Braun said:
That got me right in the kishkes – thanks, that was incredibly powerful and very uplifiting. You always manage to find the right words, the right message every time…very very moving and inspiring.
November 28, 2011 at 10:55 pm, D. R. said:
Such a profound and valuable message. Thank you Charlie for all your incredible videos, which usually move me to tears and affect my thoughts and actions. I think many, many people get so much from seeing your videos, even if few leave comments. Yashar Coah!
February 29, 2012 at 1:17 am, Miriam said:
Saw your wonderful video on AISH and wanted to learn more about you. Just watched this video.
Never heard this story. Thank you for sharing it; I am stunned. Thank you again!
May 22, 2012 at 6:02 pm, Yossie said:
Hi, I just “found” you, and are watching all your videos. this one REALLY blew me away! thank you so much!
May 23, 2012 at 9:40 am, Charlie Harary said:
Thank you Yossie. Appreciate the comment.
September 20, 2012 at 3:44 pm, Miriam said:
Very Powerful!! Never seen this before! Hit the spot. Thank You!
Gmar Tov
September 24, 2012 at 9:56 pm, sharon said:
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This hit me to the core….just right before Yom Kippur!
i recently heard you on the avienu malkainu you were outstanding……
Where else can I hear your shiurim? (i follow you on aish)