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Question
whats the Jewish perspective about exciting hobbys that doesnt have to do with anything spiritual, for example enjoying editing videos, writing etc. isnt it consider wasting time? when you could study torah in the same time or do diffrent things for god?
Answer
Hobbies are often a necessary "refreshing break". The Chovot HaLevavot (Avodat Elokim, 4) simplifies the issue, saying that all actions are either obligatory or prohibited, e.g. when a person needs a break from his learning or work, that hobby is actually considered necessary and obligatory. Clearly, he considers hobbies as a necessary "means" (like breathing), and how much more so exercise, yet not an "end" unto themselves. On the other hand, Rav Kook writes that the framework the Torah addresses clearly has the Jewish People living in the Land of Israel, where there's an ideal even in hiking (mitzvah to walk in Israel), yard work, woodwork and really anything constructive (settling the Land, Bamidbar 33, 53, see Chatam Sofer, Suka, 35) etc. Accordingly, in Israel, often hobbies are elevated to be spiritual ideals and holy "ends unto themselves". Obviously there will always be various and higher levels of kedusha, but part of the beauty of the Holy Land is that there is Godliness even in the fruit, rocks, "mundane" work, hobbies, or even speech, for in Hebrew, the Holy Language, even telling jokes is holy (for hundreds of sources on the topic, see my book, "Leharim et HaDegel"! On the other hand, living outside the Land of Israel this topic is more complicated, and it seems that the Chovot HaLevavot's opinion is more applicable there.
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