“Get your Game-face on.” A phrase uttered by coaches and parents to countless young children and
players right before an important moment in sports history. A phrase used countless times throughout
the year, but one I have difficulty understanding – how does this encouragement help? Players are
either pumped for the moment or they aren’t. What is this game face for? Is it a scare tactic for the
opponent? Does it help the players in any way? Well, this week’s Torah says yes, it helps a lot.
In Parshas Naso, we will read about the Nazir – an individual who swears off from some specific worldly
pleasures to focus and deepen his relationship with Hashem, G-d. When his self-imposed Nazir term
ends, he is instructed to bring a Korban, a sacrifice. The Ralbag, one of the premier analytical minds and
commentators from the early 1300’s, is puzzled by this requirement: Why should the Nazir dedicate a
Korban, something usually reserved for repentance and forgiving? He didn’t do anything wrong – in fact,
he spent the last number of years solely dedicated to his personal growth and improvement?
The Ralbag clarifies the requirement of a Korban is a motivation for the Nazir to remain and retain his
spiritual growth. When his term is over, he can easily fall back into his old ways, ending his high standard
of devotion to Hashem. He may revert to who he was before his Nazir journey, solely based on the
current reality of his actions are now different, post Nazir-term. He will start re-integrating back into a
normal day in society, and those new behaviors can cause a fundamental change in who he is as an
individual. The Korban is a reminder to continue his growth journey and focus, to have his spiritual gains
endure for a lifetime.
So yes, The Nazir, even after devoting a portion of his life to complete focus on spiritual gains, may lose
them when he starts acting differently. So yes, the “Game-Face”, the way we act, 100% affects who we
are inside, what we accomplish and who we become. Kids act in the manner of winners and champions;
they BECOME winners and champions. It’s a great life-hack: acting calm MAKES us calmer people, acting
happy MAKES us happier people, acting caring will TURN US INTO a caring person.
What’s your Game Face?