6 November 2026
Question
Why does the Torah not want me to have fun? It tells me everything I have to do: what foods I can and can't eat, how I should spend my day of rest, when I’m allowed to date and who I can marry, how to talk, walk, and think. I’m a kid and I just want to have fun. Is that so bad?
Answer
I know you are a fun-loving kid. But I've observed something strange about you. You love playing soccer. You really seem to enjoy it. But I can't figure out why. How could anyone enjoy the game of soccer?
Soccer is no fun. So many unreasonable rules! You're not allowed to use your hands. How restrictive. Hands are much more useful than feet, and yet you can't use them. For no good reason!
And those sidelines are so annoying. As soon as the ball crosses them, it's out. And the goals. They are so small. What's the point of having such a small target to aim at?
I've got a much more fun idea for a game. You can use your hands. No outs, no sidelines. The goals will be as wide as the field, which is endless, so anywhere you kick it, it's a goal. Doesn't that sound like a much better game?
Of course it doesn't. That would be the most boring game ever.
The rules of soccer are what make it fun. The sidelines force you to develop self-control by staying within boundaries. A limited goal forces you to learn how to aim straight. And because you can't just pick up the ball with your hands, you are forced to develop incredible footwork. The restriction frees you to use your knees, your chest, and your head. Which is never a bad thing to use.
The same applies to the rules written in the Torah. They aren't there to ruin your fun. They are there to help you develop strengths you never knew you had.
The kosher laws teach you daily self-control. Just because you want it doesn’t mean you should have it. The Shabbat laws force you to put down your devices so you can build real, deep connections with the people around you and with G-d. The rules about relationships give your love a clear goal and teach you commitment.
Keeping the rules can be challenging. Sometimes it may feel like you are missing out on the fun. But as you know from soccer, boundaries can bring out your best. That makes it more fun, not less. A life guided by Torah is no different. It all depends on where you get your kicks.
