Saturday, April 22, 2006

The holy game

On tonight's TV sports roundup they brought up a very important issue. Should Israeli soccer players and fans be given Shabbat off to be a day of "rest?"

Apparently, there are players who want to "keep Shabbat" according to Jewish Laws. Many are "traditional" and pray daily. Even of those who aren't very observant of Jewish Law and tradition still kiss the "Mezuzah" as they enter the stadium to play. the program showed them praying and touching the mezuzah.

Also many fans are religious. Some just don't get to games, and others walk to the game if it's nearby. When the Betar Jerusalem team played at the YMCA stadium across from the King David Hotel, the lucky ones were able to watch from apartments in the neighborhood which overlooked the playing field. It was also possible to buy tickets in advance and see the game.

In the show, they even interviewed someone from an Arab team, who also wanted the weekends off.

Who knows what will be...

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