Can Sports and Judaism Coexist?

I know I haven't posted a second post yet, but I was trying to find a good topic to discuss. Well, low and behold, all I had to do was look on the NBA Playoff Schedule and out came my dilemma.

In a secular world, there is no "off day." Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are major holidays in the secular world and yet, there are major sporting events on these days with teams who are in the elite of their respective leagues. Well...Judaism has an "off day" which really turns into "off days" since most games start around 7:oopm (if on a Friday) and any time from 1:00pm-8:00pm (on Saturdays).

Look at it this way, not many people are excited about the beginning of the NHL or NBA season with football only on Sundays until December, but they have the MLB Postseason. Now change up the seasons and you have the beginning of the MLB season (which people LOVE), and the NHL and NBA Playoffs (which, I know I can say for the NHL, are the most exciting playoffs in all of the 4 major sports). Well, you can play any night of the week for these 3 sports and they do. But what is a Jew to do?

This Saturday, the 16th, I will be partaking in a convention with Jewish Youth apart of USY. This will run from Friday through Sunday. Well, remember that between Friday and Sunday is Saturday, the holiest day of the week, the Sabbath. No electronics are supposed to be used on the Sabbath no matter where you are. Now, I will be staying in a hotel, so the electricity is already on, so I won't have a problem with that. The only problem is turning on and off the TV (which I won't do).

This Saturday is also Game 1 of the Sixers/Heat, Game 2 of the Flyers/Sabres, and Phillies/Marlins. As a diehard sports fan, knowing these games are going on will eat at me. I will want to check my phone or run to a TV and watch it. But also knowing I can handle missing one game (well, technically 3) in place of my love of Judaism, will make me a stronger person in faith.

Sabbath is a time for rest, relaxation, study of Torah and just becoming closer with yourself. I'm beyond excited for the Playoffs, but I'm also even more excited for USY Spring Convention. Will I live through the weekend? You betcha. Will I come out a stronger person? Definitely. Just because I'm not watching any of the games doesn't make me any less of a fan.

Just remember, a non-observant Jew, Sandy Koufax, did not pitch in the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur.

Would you let sports in the way of you becoming more observant and/or religious?

I would love to hear what you have to say!

Shabbat Shalom and L'chaim

For now,

Mike