Israel Matzav

Oh my... 9-year old boy walks off baseball field rather than play without tzitzis

How many of you would have had the guts to do the same thing? How many of you would have had the guts to do it at the age of 9? An off-topic story that must be shared.

The game was going fine, with Yossi (as always) very actively participating, and very much looking forward to his "at bat." As he came up to bat, the umpire happened to notice that Yossi wears two uniforms, his team uniform, and also the fringe undergarment uniform of every male Jew - Tzitzit.

But then, for the first time, the umpire insisted that Yossi remove his Tzitzit in that it could produce some type of "interference or unfair advantage."

Yossi --the only Jewish boy, not just on the team, but we think in the entire league-- respectfully explained to the umpire that he is wearing a religious undergarment, had never had an issue with this previously, however the umpire would not listen, decrying in affect "foul ball."

What was Yossi to do? Disrespect the umpire (an adult), or disrespect his religion?

To Yossi, the choice was easy and clear. He had "two feet on the ground" in more ways than one. He walked off the field and would not play!

The game stopped, Yossi's team also volunteered to walk off the field and forfeit the game in its entirety.

After a significant "pow-wow" between the coaches and the umpire, Yossi was allowed to play, "double uniforms" and all.

Read the whole thing. Perhaps even more amazing than what Yossi did is that the rest of the kids were willing to walk off with him. Of course, if he is the best player on his team, that becomes a bit more explicable.

May Yossi grow up to be a talmid chacham (scholar) and a tzadik (righteous person) and bring only nachas (contentment) to his family.

Labels: American Jews, Judaism

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:02 PM