"Shabbat and Soccer Shouldn't Compete Against Each Other"

Mark your calendars: This coming Wednesday evening, at the Western Wall plaza. Such penitential prayers have never been seen before. Penitential prayers from soccer players and fans will gather at the Wall and pray: "Please, Master of the Universe, we don't want to play on Shabbat." Ahead of the court discussion next week, which shakes the entire Israeli sports world, a group of players decided to hold a large prayer session to support the transfer of soccer games to weekdays.

For those unfamiliar with the affair, here's a summary: It all started when several players from the national league approached the labor court asking not to be required to play on Shabbat. There are many Jewish reasons for a positive response to this request, yet legally there's an issue. The team owners claim that although every worker in the economy deserves a day off, soccer players fall under the "entertainment and culture" category, and as known, cultural institutions, stand-up comedians, and artists mainly work on Shabbat.

Illustration (Photo: Adi Israel / Flash 90)

Thus began a legal debate – far from the essence and simple rationale of "Keep the Shabbat holy." It revolves around whether legally there is permission to employ soccer players on Shabbat?

It seemed like a "fixed game," as stated by the league management, "Games on Shabbat have been here since the British Mandate days." But Judge Ariella Gichel-Katz surprised everyone by showing a yellow card to the employers. "Currently, you have no permit to work on Shabbat. You are acting against the law. You need to request a permit from the Ministry of Economy. If even the premier league doesn't have a permit to work on Shabbat, legally in the State of Israel, you can't work on Shabbat. I won't approve of any illegal action." she wrote, shaking the soccer world. Now the league management must get a Shabbat work permit from Aryeh Deri, the Shas party chairman. It doesn't seem likely he will oppose the judge in this instance...

Meanwhile, the judge suggested a compromise for the upcoming game cycle, where games scheduled on Friday will end an hour and a half before Shabbat starts, and games scheduled on Shabbat will start only an hour and a half after it ends. In short, no playing on Shabbat.

But the players aren't wasting time and are opening another front on the spiritual level: a penitential assembly at the Western Wall to succeed in the mission. Rabbi Yitzhak Gabai, whose lessons many players attend at the "Shirat HaTorah" yeshiva in Herzliya, organizes the prayer. "We invite players, fans, and everyone who values Shabbat to join this prayer. It’s not a protest assembly; we want to pray together so that Shabbat and soccer don't clash," explains Rabbi Gabai.

Is there interest?

"Definitely. There's a WhatsApp group with about 100 players who are really into it. Each brings more than just a small group of friends. This isn't an assembly associated with any particular public trying to showcase its power. It's a prayer in honor of Shabbat. Just the idea of a prayer is a sanctification of Hashem. The results are in the hands of heaven."

Soccer players have posted videos on social media inviting the public to participate in the penitential prayers at the Western Wall on Wednesday, rounding off with: "We love Shabbat, we also love soccer – so don't cause conflict."

Among the petitioners are dozens of players represented by the Soccer Federation. Shlomi Moshe, a player in Hapoel Kiryat Gat, is very optimistic about completing the mission: "We say it loud and clear: we don’t want to play on Shabbat. Even if we have to play on Friday, the game should end at least half an hour before Shabbat starts. I'm convinced there's a chance for this, as here in Kiryat Gat and generally in the south, most residents are 'traditional' and don’t want to drive on Shabbat. When our team plays on Fridays, 300 fans come. On weekdays, 3,000 come. We need to speak about it. Address it. It's a completely legitimate demand."

You’re so resolute, yet what about your career?

"I love soccer, but I love to show how much I love Shabbat through it. If I were concerned about my career, I would stay in the premier league. I played in the past with Beitar Jerusalem. One of the reasons I stopped and moved to the national league is because I wanted to observe Shabbat again. I'm not going to give up my love for Shabbat."

What do you hope to achieve with the prayer at the Wall?

"Sanctification of Hashem. We want as many people to come who value both Shabbat and soccer and to show everyone that it's not a contradiction. We expect a large turnout."

The most notable soccer player requesting to refrain from playing on Shabbat is Avi Ivgi, a goalkeeper for Maccabi Herzliya. "I've personally not played on Shabbat for several years. My Shabbat is a true Jewish Shabbat. I'm happy every moment of it, and for me personally, it's not a struggle, but I feel for the people of Israel. For my fellow players. The people of Israel got used to soccer on Shabbat, but who said that's right?"

Is there a chance for the change you so desire?

"In the national league, this has been happening for the last six years. We didn't invent something new. Everyone wants to enjoy this issue. Shabbat is important to both secular and religious people. I see support from Knesset members, not just religious ones. Of course, there's Aryeh Deri, but also Miki Zohar from Likud and very important support from Culture Minister Miri Regev."

What will happen at the Wall on Wednesday?

"We want to pray to the Creator of the World. Pray from the depth of our hearts. I tell everyone, 'The gates of tears are never closed.' There will be a sanctification of Hashem and we'll bring honor to Shabbat."