"From a Love of Soccer to a World of Torah": Singer Chaim Avital Inspires

"I loved playing soccer. I played for Beitar Ramat Gan and Hakoah Ramat Gan and eventually got injured in the youth team of Kiryat Ono," begins Chaim Avital. Avital (35) was born into a secular Israeli family, deeply immersed in worldly pursuits, until he felt something was missing inside, prompting him to make a change. "During one soccer game, I got injured. It was difficult to say, but it turned out to be a blessing from heaven because I was stuck at home, unable to find myself."

Singer Chaim Avital, today

"Friends from my neighborhood suggested I join them for Torah lessons with Rabbi Yitzhak Levy, who inspires many in Tel Aviv. At first, it sounded scary and intimidating. I thought I'd hear talks about Gehinnom and what happens there, but I decided to go. Understandably, this was my initial gateway into the world of Teshuvah."

"Then the 'boom' happened; the rabbi invited me to a Shabbat dinner at his home. For the first time in my life, I saw a beautifully set table, with the honor of Shabbat Kodesh, surrounded by well-dressed children singing Shabbat songs together. It moved me greatly. I felt a profound awakening spreading over me, as I had never seen such great honor for a Shabbat meal before. In my family, everyone came whenever they wanted, ate what they wanted, and left as they pleased. There, it began and ended differently."

"But the yetzer hara (evil inclination) is very strong, and it didn't let me go so easily. I returned home, quickly forgetting the spiritual uplift I experienced, and reverted to my old ways. Friends called and took me to parties, my mother convinced me to pursue a secular career; she wanted me to be a model and even set up an appointment with a modeling agency. I was very close to that, but something empty was bubbling inside me. I'd come back home in the morning from parties and sleep until noon, feeling unsatisfied."

"By Hashem's grace, I made a 'switch' at the last moment. After a personal reckoning, I decided that if I wanted a true eyshet chayil (virtuous woman), I needed to act. I packed a suitcase and decided to go to yeshiva. My mother strongly opposed—not only ideologically but physically—as she stood at the door, preventing me from going to yeshiva. To her, it seemed like the ruin of her child. But Hashem has His own messengers; my sister was there and told my mom, 'Let him go. As soon as he leaves, he'll return; he's not for yeshiva, he's for soccer'... Thank God, it became clear she was mistaken."

And how did you adjust to yeshiva life?

"All beginnings are difficult, but I quickly realized this was my place. The greatest challenge was dealing with my mother's relentless crying, as she considered me lost. It was hard to handle her sadness. I remember at one point, she wouldn't stop crying on the phone, and I went up to the roof of the yeshiva building and began to speak alone with the Master of the World. I said to Him: 'Father, I can't handle my mother's weeping; it's tearing me apart inside.' I decided that if she cried just once more, I'd pack my bags and return home."

My First Miracle

So, if you stayed in yeshiva, does that mean your mother stopped crying?

"A clear miracle occurred, no other explanation. The next day, my mother called, not only was she not crying, but she was smiling, happy, and content. I can't explain what happened—or rather, I can: Hashem heard my prayers and didn't test me beyond my limits."

"In that conversation, my mother asked if I would come home for Shabbat. I immediately declined because the house wasn't suitable to host me now that I was observing Kashrut and Shabbat. But my mother promised she would do whatever I asked to respect my wishes. I was convinced and went home. I remember arriving with a friend, and together we took all the kitchen utensils in a cart to immerse them in the mikvah. From there, everything went smoothly in our relationship."

Such as?

"Suddenly, my mother saw she had a different child, one who began to respect her, a child with a normal daily routine, unlike the chaotic party and soccer days. That's when it dawned on her, and she became pleased with my path."

Did you have particularly difficult moments?

"Of course, there were moments where I thought to myself, 'That's it. I'm breaking and going back.' I remember days when I would come back to the neighborhood, and all my friends would whisper that I had gone crazy and ask why I was confused. They used words they picked up from the media. But I was very strong, also thanks to my friend Ilan, who would take me to visit the graves of righteous people and rabbis."

"Nonetheless, the friends and acquaintances in the neighborhood didn't relent. I told them it wasn't proper to talk to girls, and they thought I had gone mad and that I needed to be rescued from insanity. So the only way to get rid of this hardship was simply to change my phone number. It was a drastic step but necessary for someone who decided on his path."

Is there anyone who particularly helped you during this challenging time?

"Wow. It's hard to answer because there were many good and righteous people who assisted me, but if you ask, I must mention my late grandfather. He showered me with love without questions or demands. He would come to visit me in yeshiva, and the first time he did, he took me shopping. Until then, my attire was like a secular person's, jeans, and the like. My grandfather bought all the clothes I needed, a suit and religious attire. He was very happy with my decision."

Chaim recalls a moment he'll never forget: "I don't forget when I visited home, I took all my old clothes, went to the park, made a pile, and burned them," he says excitedly. "This was also to show the evil inclination that I am not going back."

After spending significant time at the 'Machane Israel' Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Chaim reached the stage of matchmaking. "They suggested a young woman from a religious home. Her father was apprehensive about having a ba'al teshuvah son-in-law. He consulted with Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira ztz"l, who gave his blessing for the match. Thank God, we are happily married. I understand her hesitation, but she saw my sincere desires and the light that Torah brought to me, which captivated her."

Did you leave yeshiva after getting married?

"I left the yeshiva, but we decided that I would continue studying at a kollel in Tel Aviv. Initially, it was very hard for me; I felt stifled and couldn't learn. I stepped outside and met a man with a traditional appearance, with a beard and payot. He asked me: 'What's wrong? Why are you sad?' I told him that learning in the kollel was difficult for me, and he agreed that sometimes it is hard for him too. I asked what he does when it's hard. He told me that he goes outside, takes a walk, and speaks to Hashem. Since then, I connected to Breslov teachings, and I talk to Hashem whenever things get tough."

Chaim describes how Divine Providence follows him every step of the way: "After a period in the kollel, I sought to support my family. Initially, I worked as a sales agent until one day, by chance, I attended an event where they asked me to sing. I took the microphone and sang some songs. The keyboard player Almog Pedali loved the idea and called me the next day, offering to work together. Since then, we've been working together, bringing joy to Israel at Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and any joyous event. Additionally, by Hashem's grace, I've released several singles that gained traction, and I'm on my way to releasing my debut album. This is my personal Divine Providence."

Chaim reveals to me: "Even here, Hashem tested me. Just as I was beginning to rise and get bookings, COVID-19 struck, wiping out the income, but thank God, I overcame that too and even released a new, amazing single that sums up my life, with Divine assistance, 'Thankful for Everything'..."