"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. Soccer players and fans will gather at the Wall to recite penitential prayers and plead: “Please, Master of the Universe, we don’t want to play on Shabbat.” Ahead of the court discussion scheduled for next week—which is shaking the entire Israeli sports world—a group of players has decided to hold a large prayer assembly in support of transferring soccer games to weekdays.

For those unfamiliar with the affair, here is a brief summary. It all began when several players from the national league petitioned the labor court, asking not to be required to play on Shabbat. There are many Jewish reasons to respond positively to this request; however, legally, the matter is more complex. Team owners argue that although every worker in the economy deserves a weekly day of rest, soccer players fall under the category of “entertainment and culture.” As is well known, cultural institutions, stand-up comedians, and artists primarily work on Shabbat.

Thus began a legal debate—far removed from the simple and fundamental principle of “Keep the Shabbat holy.” The discussion instead revolves around a technical legal question: is there, under Israeli law, permission to employ soccer players on Shabbat?

Initially, it seemed like a “fixed game,” as league management claimed: “Soccer games on Shabbat have existed since the days of the British Mandate.” But Judge Ariella Gichel-Katz surprised everyone by issuing a decisive warning to the employers. “At present, you do not have a permit to work on Shabbat. You are acting illegally. You must request a permit from the Ministry of Economy. If even the premier league does not have a permit to work on Shabbat, then legally, in the State of Israel, you may not work on Shabbat. I will not approve any illegal action,” she wrote—rocking the soccer world. The league management is now required to obtain a Shabbat work permit from Aryeh Deri, chairman of the Shas party. It does not appear likely that he will oppose the judge in this case.

In the meantime, the judge proposed a compromise for the upcoming match cycle: games scheduled for Friday would end an hour and a half before the start of Shabbat, and games scheduled for Saturday would begin only an hour and a half after Shabbat ends. In short—no playing on Shabbat.

But the players are not wasting time. They have opened another front on the spiritual level: a penitential prayer assembly at the Western Wall, aimed at ensuring success. Rabbi Yitzhak Gabai, whose classes many players attend at the “Shirat HaTorah” yeshiva in Herzliya, is organizing the prayer. “We invite players, fans, and everyone who values Shabbat to join us,” says Rabbi Gabai. “This is not a protest rally; we want to pray together so that Shabbat and soccer do not clash.”

Is there interest?

“Absolutely. There is a WhatsApp group with about 100 players who are deeply involved. Each one brings more than just a small circle of friends. This is not an assembly affiliated with any particular public seeking to demonstrate its power. It is a prayer in honor of Shabbat. The very act of prayer is a sanctification of Hashem, and the results are in the hands of Heaven.”

Soccer players have been posting videos on social media inviting the public to attend the penitential prayers at the Western Wall this Wednesday, concluding with the message: “We love Shabbat, and we also love soccer—don’t turn it into a conflict.”

Among the petitioners are dozens of players represented by the Soccer Federation. Shlomi Moshe, a player for Hapoel Kiryat Gat, is highly optimistic about the mission’s success. “We say it clearly: we don’t want to play on Shabbat. Even if games are held on Fridays, they should end at least half an hour before Shabbat begins. I’m convinced there is a real chance for this. Here in Kiryat Gat, and generally throughout the south, most residents are traditional and don’t want to drive on Shabbat. When our team plays on Fridays, only about 300 fans attend. On weekdays, 3,000 attend. This needs to be discussed and addressed—it’s a completely legitimate demand.”

You sound very resolute, but what about your career?

“I love soccer, but through it I also want to show how much I love Shabbat. If I were worried about my career, I would have remained in the premier league. I previously played for Beitar Jerusalem, and one of the reasons I left and moved to the national league was so I could observe Shabbat again. I’m not giving 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 as possible who value both Shabbat and soccer to come and demonstrate that there is no contradiction between the two. We’re expecting a large turnout.”

One of the most prominent players requesting not to play on Shabbat is Avi Ivgi, goalkeeper for Maccabi Herzliya. “Personally, I haven’t played on Shabbat for several years. My Shabbat is a genuine Jewish Shabbat. I’m happy every moment of it. For me, it’s not a struggle—but I feel deeply for Am Yisrael, for my fellow players. The public has grown accustomed to soccer on Shabbat, but who decided that this is correct?”

Is there a chance for the change you want?

“In the national league, this has already been happening for the past six years. We didn’t invent anything new. Shabbat is important to both secular and religious people. I see support from Knesset members—not only religious ones. Of course there’s Aryeh Deri, but also Miki Zohar from Likud, and very significant backing from Culture Minister Miri Regev.”

What will happen at the Wall on Wednesday?

“We will pray to the Creator of the world, from the depths of our hearts. As I always say, ‘The gates of tears are never closed.’ There will be a sanctification of Hashem, and we will bring honor to Shabbat.”