Jewish basketball team refuses to play on Sabbath

The Orthodox Jewish high school basketball team from Houston that is being forced to forfeit its state championship dreams to avoid playing on the Sabbath is gaining some powerful allies. But the Texas association that controls its fate refuses to budge, reiterating that the games will not be rescheduled to accommodate the school's religious beliefs.

Tamir Goodman — the Orthodox Jewish player who Sports Illustrated famously dubbed "The Jewish Jordan" when he verbally committed to Maryland, former Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and Mayor Annise Parker are all standing behind the Robert M. Beren Academy in its fight to get its 2A state semifinal game moved from Friday night to Friday afternoon.

These are a bunch of hoops-loving kids from a tiny school (67 total high school students) living a real-life Hoosiers story as they compete against bigger programs.

Goodman has been tweeting about the situation and trying to raise awareness. During his career, Goodman also refused to play on the Sabbath, with many believing that led to Maryland backing off on its scholarship offer.

Continue reading at houston.culturemap.com

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tonefive

At least some groups still have principals. Sort of refreshing to hear.
- daves
  
  Yep – good for these young men.
- petroskhan1262
  
  I agree fully with the intent of your post. However, that should be "principles", sticking to their faith/belief, etc. I'm sure the High School does have a principal, though.
  
  But like I said, I do agree with your intended message, and it IS refreshing.
  - Myrtlelinder
    
    Absolutely!! They are stating their principles, lod and clear. It is such a pity such a small percentage is willing to do that!!
    - Myrtlelinder
      
      Ex. 16; 26 Six day ye shall gather it; but on the seventy day which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. (This is talking about gathering food you had to gather the Quails which GOD had sent, on the sixth day))
      
      Ex. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it Holy.
      10 But the sabbath day is the sabbath of the LORD THY GOD: in it thou shalt not do any work thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, not thy stranger that is within thy gates
      
      Ex.31:13 Speak thou to the children of Israel, saying, "Verily, my sabbaths ye shall keep for it is a sign between and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I AM THE LORD that doth sanctify you.
      .
      
      Mark 2: 27-28 And HE said unto them,"The sabbath was mead for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore, the SON OF MAN IS lord ALSO, OF THE SABBATH.
      
      Luke 4: 15-16 And HE taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And HE came to Nazareth, where HE had been brought up: where and, as HIS custom was, HE went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Steelman

How refreshing, a school that still places faith above profit and media hype. Perhaps there is hope that this great nation won't collapse.
- http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11
  
  Psalm 46__ 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ____ 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea
  - Myrtlelinder
    
    If you love me, you sill keep my commandments!!!
    - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
      
      And do you keep them all? If you are honest we know the answer… So does that mean that you do not love Him?
      I know you do.
      - Myrtlelinder
        
        Why do you want to know?? If you are asking if I am perfect, NO I AM NOT PERFECT, NOR DO I EVER BREAK A COMMANDMENT, DELIBERATELY!!
      - Despeville
        
        "..NOR DO I EVER BREAK A COMMANDMENT, DELIBERATELY!!"
        
        None is…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Ironically, Humpty, you do break them deliberately.
      - http://conservativebyte.com Michael G.
        
        You just did.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        Gee, I break them daily so are you and so is everyone else. The law point to Savior if one can see it.
        You can try all you wand trying we should be we will always come short. At least here.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        The issue is not whether you break the rules according to the fables in the bible, but whether you intentionally break these rules. And since you lie without concern or remorse, the answer is is obviously yes you do.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        Schizoid what is going through your enslaved mind is no concern to me nor to most sane people.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Many delusional people have no concern for reality. I fully understand.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        Your schizophrenia is the opposite to the reality numb Schizoid.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        A delusion is a belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence.[1] Unlike hallucinations, delusions are always pathological (the result of an illness or illness process).[1] As a pathology, it is distinct from a belief based on false or incomplete information, dogma, poor memory, illusion, or other effects of perception.
        Delusions typically occur in the context of neurological or mental illness, although they are not tied to any particular disease and have been found to occur in the context of many pathological states (both physical and mental). However, they are of particular diagnostic importance in psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, paraphrenia, manic episodes of bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression.
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion
        
        Let us see now. Schizophrenia which you demonstrate with your inability to use English correctly.
        
        Paraphrenia which is demonstrated by your absurd belief in the one world order nonsense.
        
        Manic episodes of bipolar disorder which you demonstrate with your outbursts at anyone who dares disagree with you. It is also shown by your refusal to acknowledge any mistake on your part.
        
        Have not noticed any depression on your part yet, but you should watch out for that. And, of course, who knows what behaviors you exhibit in your day to day activities.
        
        You are a textbook example of a delusional person, Humpty.
Victor Barney

You're right on that issue if you're being paid for it, right?
Sibyl Scott

I am in Houston, and been following this story—they are going to get to play this afternoon. The "board" that governs the games, had an injunction on them, and they changed their minds. So the team gets to play. I really applaud them for standing up and keeping their priorities. Their faith and convictions over what they wanted. Really sounds like a great group of guys.
- Myrtlelinder
  
  I admire anybody who will stand on what they believe, stand firmly!!!!
Troublemaker

If he had been of our Muslim-Marxist's religion of Islam, I'll guarantee you that exceptions would have been granted or CAIR would of gotten involved and all hell would of broken loose!
- Godisalive
  
  My thoughts exactly!
KnowTheTruthToday

I am not a Jew and have many differences with them but they should have the right to make that decision and someone should work with them.

If it had been Muslims they couldn't have done it fast enough.
- Michael P
  
  Agreed. Nice that they stand up for what they believe.
- Myrtlelinder
  
  You are right, I have my differences and I have a very good idea they have differences with what I believe but that doesn't mean that they don't have as much or more right than Muslims belief. After all we have been a country the first 500 years as our Christian America.
Quanuck

I understand through a law suite from the parents that the ruling has been overturned and the game was rescheduled to today (Friday 2 March 2012). Good for them for fighting for their religious rights!
Rudy

I grew up in a home that we kept the Sabbath holy. I wouldn't have been able to play either. Nice that their are still those who stand for their personal convictions.
far2right

The Law does not say that the Jews cannot play on the Sabbath. Nor does it prohibit lifting a basketball. I know this because I did a word search for "basketball" on my computer. Moses had no injunction against basketball lifting.

No Jew has ever complied with the Law.

These boys should play basketball all they want from Friday night to Saturday morning.

They are all under God's just sentence of condemnation just like the Gentiles, excepting for the elect of God chosen from the Jews and Gentiles.
- Kalev
  
  Anti-Semite with your non-biblical Replacement Theology. Israel is the elect of God. Israel are those that keep the testimony of Messiah Yeshua – God in the flesh, KING of Kings and LORD of Lords.
  - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
    
    Here is a Judaizer and Hate Monger spilling his hatred and name calling all in the name of "Yeshua's love"…
    So called Reolecament Theology is a bogeyman constructed for controlling religious misfits like you and advancing the agenda of Talmudic Judaism… Read how false and unbiblical it is from my Jewish Brethren who actually know what they talk about:
    
    NOT REPLACEMENT…EXPANSION!
    
    "…Much fuss has been made in our Jewish evangelism circles regarding "replacement" theology, the idea that the church has "replaced" the Jewish people in the plan of God. Some have even accused all who think New Covenant believers are "Spiritual Israel" as being guilty of this "replacement theology", that is, of replacing the Jewish people with the church. Charges have been made that this idea of "Spiritual Israel" leads to anti-semitism…"
    
    More: http://www.chaim.org/xpansion.htm
    - Kalev
      
      You are sick and you are the one full of hate, it's the tone of your constant personal attacks that obviously prove my point. There are others that post here that have similar views as mine yet you never reply to them. One has to ask why. I do not practice Talmudic Judaism, I know enough about it to know it's evil and to avoid it.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        How is any of your emotional rant addressing clearly and reasonably presented arguments? It does not… All you can offer is your negative emotional bondage to your Judaizing teaching, name calling etc. etc. etc. all of that while asserting "the love and mercy of Yeshua…" I do address Judaizer's false pseudo gospel when I see it and you are the most outspoken purveyor of this heresy here.
- Myrtlelinder
  
  Of course the law, American law doesn't say that, that is GOD'S law, straight out of the Bible. Our laws do not care about the JEWS, usually. The problem is not the basket ball, it is about no work on the Sabbath Day. When would you guess the basket ball was first made? I promise not 6,000 years, ago
- rightascanbe
  
  I am not Jewish but I do understand that many Jews do not believe in doing these type of things on their Sabbath. Even Christian churches have certain things they believe in that is different from others. Let's respect how they feel. They didn't just start this belief. It began many many years ago and not all Jews feel this way but the Orthodox Jews do. I applaud them for sticking to their beliefs, even if it is not mine. What can it hurt? We need more Christians believing and sticking to the Bible, I believe we would see alot of changes — for one – no abortion.
Byron

Thats the Jews for you. They think there speical because of their religion. Adventist are no different. Their religion is their god.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  Now that is humorous. There are always articles on this site about Christians complaining that they have to work on the Sabbath. But irony is lost on most people on this site.
  - Kalev
    
    But Christians do not keep the Sabbath, the seventh day, they have made the venerable day of the sun their Sabbath so they are worshipping a false god in making Sunday yheir sabbath. 90% of Christians (the Harlot's daughters) are not aware that The Roman Catholic Church (the Harlot of Revelation) made this change without Biblical authority though they some how claim to have such authority
    - Kalev
      
      http://www.biblesabbath.org/confessions.html
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      Regardless of whether they are right or wrong about which day the Sabbath is, that does not change the fact that many complain when they have to work on the day they believe is the Sabbath.
      - Kalev
        
        I agree, that wasn't the point I was making.
    - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
      
      'At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. Lord of the Sabbath For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
      
      ~ Matthew 12:1-8
      
      Wonder how your Judaizers spun this text to make it fit into their Talmudic Judaism dressed up in Gospel terms…
      - Kalev
        
        One has to be Jewish or a Jewish convert to be a Judaizer. The priest were set apart to minister to God therefore they were innocent for working on Shabat. I'm still working on David and the consecrated bread but it seems to me that David was on a divine mission when he took the bread from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21)
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        "One has to be Jewish or a Jewish convert to be a Judaizer."
        
        That takes care of what I point to…
        
        'The priest were set apart to minister to God therefore they were innocent for working on Shabat"
        
        Were disciples "priests"? "…and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat."
        
        A lecture on Judaizers… —-> http://gracelifepulpit.media.s3.amazonaws.com/GL-…
      - Kalev
        
        "That takes care of what I point to… " And that means?
        You are a Nicolatian. You are purposely twisting everything.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        That means that you and those whom you listen to are qualifying under…
        You do not understand who were Nicolatian just like you do not understand who is Antinomian just like you do not understand the proper role of Law. You just use those terms like a brute bludgeon to swing it away and appease your religious ego…
      - Kalev
        
        : ) clueless one
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        :) Sure Mr.Judaizer… Except I am not the one who runs away from biblicaly supported arguments… You are.
      - Kalev
        
        What day is the Biblical Sabbath and why? That was why I was posting on this one.
        Did Yeshua change the day of the Sabbath, if so where?
        Since you are much more Biblically smarter than I.
        BTW, as you know, I believe Biblically the Sabbath begins at dark on Friday evening and ends at dark on Saturday and I keep the Sabbath so I am leaving my computer now to prepare. I'll come back and check your reply on the first day. Have a good evening, shalom.
      - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
        
        Answer was given… ~ "if you had known what this means…" ~ Matthew 12:1-8
- Myrtlelinder
  
  GOD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST and their laws is the single, most important thing in a Christian's life.
- keyboardshark
  
  The point is not about which day is the 'correct' sabbath or whether we agree or not with their practice thereof. The point is that people's religious beliefs, whether we agree with them or not, should be respected. But before anyone jumps all over that statement, let me issue a disclaimer. I am not talking about religious practices which seek to violate or change laws that are established for the protection of citizens of the nation where the followers of that religion reside.
  
  The obvious example of this is Islamic Sharia Law, which condones murder and other destructive practices, and which some Muslims would like to see instituted in the USA. This 'system' goes far beyond harmless practice of a religion, has no place in a lawful society and runs contrary to our Constitution, so I certainly do not include this or similar practices under the category of religious beliefs that should be respected. But freedom of religion dictates that we do not force persons with deeply held religious beliefs to act against their conscience regarding their faith, whether we agree with it or not.
  - aceituna
    
    Very good explanation!
Chris

Good thing no religion as yet demands to drive on the left. If you want to believe in silly stuff don't complain when other people don't go along.

Not plying games on a particular day is a "choice".
msjallen

Any time after sunset on Saturday is no longer the Jewish Sabbath. It is from sunset on Friday until sundown on Saturday. If this team did not want to play on their Sabbath there are 6 other days they could have played. These things should be worked out instead of being so childish. I may not believe what others believe about their faith but I applaud those who stand up for what they believe. As believers in Jesus Christ the days are coming when we will need to stand up for what we believe in the name of Jesus Christ. This means we need to have enough Bible Doctrine circulating in our thought process to be… Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10
- Kalev
  
  "As believers in Jesus Christ the days are coming when we will need to stand up for what we believe in the name of Jesus Christ." And that time has arrived my friend.
- Gram
  
  Sorry to say msjallen, the Sabbath was not made/or called for the Jews. The Sabbath was at the beginning of Creation when man was created. At that time there was neither Jew, Greek, Gentile, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, etc. like we have today. The Sabbath was made to honor God, because He knew man needed a day of rest from his physical work; as well as to rest and dwell on what God has done for you. How He made things out of nothing for man to enjoy.
  - msjallen
    
    I totally agree with you; I was only answering in regards to what the Jews call their Sabbath according to playing this game and to play it at another time.
LWH

Once upon a time Christians practiced the same Sabbath tradition. Certain things just could not be done past sundown on Friday until sundown on Sunday. Too bad we haven't all stuck to some reverence for the creator. I'm glad the players and their families made a case of it and I agree with other posters; if some muslim group was making noise over something the world would be expected to stop revolving for those barbarians.
- Kalev
  
  According to what I have studied the change began to be made between 70 CE and 135 CE but it really kicked in when Constantine decreed the venerable day of the sun the Christian Sabbath.
Skipper

Even if this team plays and loses, they win something far better in my book, character and principles when so many today are willing to to forget them up while hoping to get ahead.
http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville

Sadly there is many Judaizers who would like nothing better but turn Christians into Talmudic Jews and herd gullible Believers from Christ to Moses not understanding the proper distinction between Law and Grace and not understanding the proper role of Law.

'Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. "
~ Galatians 2:4

For a typical Judaizer if anyone is not in his heretical camp or dares to expose it for what it is and that is a damnable heresy and denial of Christ and His Gospel that person has to be an Antinomian… Of course this is a false and cultist abuse of the term and the concept for the sake of defending their Talmudic Judaism sprinkled with Gospel terms. If one would follow this perverse pseudo logic and false slanderous argumentation then One would have to conclude that Jesus or Paul were Antinomians as well…

More:

"…The danger of legalism becomes apparent not only when we confuse law and gospel in justification, but when we imagine that even our new obedience can be powered by the law rather than the gospel. The law does what only the law can do: reveal God’s moral will. In doing so, it strips us of our righteousness and makes us aware of our helplessness apart from Christ and it also directs us in grateful obedience. No one who says this can be considered an antinomian. However, it’s not a matter of finding the right “balance” between law and gospel, but of recognizing that each does different work. We need imperatives—and Paul gives them. But he only does this later in the argument, after he has grounded sanctification in the gospel…"

Source: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2011/01/27/the-…

Beware of false brothers who spy on the Christians to use that to turn them into slaves of Judaism and its washouts…
http://twitter.com/lambsev11 @lambsev11

Could it be that the rest of the league would not wan to be beaten by Jews? I pray not.
Genesis 12
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, … 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
- http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
  
  And who are "them" ?
  
  " I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse,
  and all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name.”
  ~ Genesis 12:3
  
  These words and promise were spoken to Abram who was not even Abraham yet nor was he a Jew or Israelite. He was a Chaldean. This promise was also given all of those who believed God and His righteousness therefore those promises belong to them if they believe like him regardless to their ethnicity:
  
  " And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised."
  
  Romans 4:11 – 12 NET
  
  A lecture on Judaizers… —-> http://gracelifepulpit.media.s3.amazonaws.com/GL-…
- Kalev
  
  Abram wasn't a Jew, his great-grandson Judah was the first Jew. Abram was the first Hebrew.
  - http://youtu.be/ltW-AKROlXQ Despeville
    
    Nope his grandson Jacob later renamed Israel was the first Jew…
jjmammy

If it came to my GOD and me, hell would have surely broken loose. I wouldn't give in to a Muslim' belief.
Harald

I Don't Blame them, I don't Play on my Sabbath.This is the Lords Day, You sheel keep it Holy.Your Day with the Lord
ConstIva2

Consider the basketball not as a work, but as a game, as recreation and entertainment, just as God ordered, and the Sabbath problem is solved.
- Gram
  
  This is for your own personal enjoyment. It does not honor God in any which way. Recreation and entertainment is only for self enjoyment. You do not have recreation and entertainment to enjoy God. What God wants is your total attention on what He has done, and will do for you when you honor Him and keep His day Holy.
  - msjallen
    
    Every day is the Lord's Day and the main way we honor God is through the study of His Word and applying it to our lives. We should set aside one day a week to honor Him in a special way with others of like mind but not to be legalistic about what we do or not do the rest of the day. The religious leaders in the Day of Christ reduced the Sabbath to the absurd. Their arrogant attitude completely perverted the Mosaic Law and used it for their own benefit of power over the people. These hypocrites had the greatest façade of self-righteousness. The unintended consequence probably made the people indifferent to it and saw God as unreasonable. This is why the religious leaders became so angry about Jesus Christ not obeying their regulations. Many religious types do the same thing today.
  - ConstIva2
    
    The thirty-nine melakhot specifically prohibited on Shabbat in the Talmud Tractate Shabbat (Ch7, Mishna 2) do not include playing basketball.
    Therefore, you should not be put to death just because of playing to the God's Glory.
    Maybe, for something else…maybe.
    
    But seriously, you seem to be the only person who didn't understand that I was joking.
- Myrtlelinder
  
  When did GOD order that, and where can the proof be found? I have not read anywhere in the Bible any mention of entertainment, anytime to nothing about it being on the Sabbath day.
  - ConstIva2
    
    God prohibited to work. He didn't prohibit to play.
    And as I said above, playing basketball is not in the list of prohibited activities.
    At least, you won't find such a prohibition in the Bible (the Torah).
    Any prohibition you may find is only a HUMAN interpretation, thus – a pure personal (that of a rabbi) opinion.
    
    Thus, a question is whom you believe more: God or a human being called "rabbi"?
http://www.chick.com Raymond

Global Warming http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1075/1075_01….
http://aol.com Ed in Florida

It's a good thing they are not Islamic otherwise they would get their way no questions asked.
http://www.keepingsundayspecial.org mike

Wow, the anger here is rather disturbing. I for one applaud the team for taking their faith seriously. We need more of that in the Christian community as well. In fact my own conviction that I need to reorder my life to once again begin setting Sunday apart was what led me to start my keepingsundayspecial web site which is in its infancy.

Certainly differences in doctrine are important but I see no reason why they should preclude a spirit of civility and grace toward each other.
tod

The rest of you Sunday Worshippers of Baal should WAKE UP,mixing Paganism and Christianity is called religous syncretism,and God FORBIDS IT. For what the bible really says go to lcg.org the Living Church of God !!!
Larry

I believe it's spelled Shabat and that is on Saturday. When I was in Israel back in 1978, Shabat was on Saturday and the Week started on Sunday, not Monday like all we Christians, Catholics, protestans, etc, do. I also applaud them and say Kudos to them for sticking to their beliefs. It used to be here in America 60 years ago that ALL stores were CLOSED on Sundays. But as the years go by and more people fall by the wayside from God and start worshiping greed and material things and possesions, now stores are open 24/7. When Jesus comes and says "Who will follow?" He will be very saddened and disappointed. We were put on this earth to glorify God and live like Christ would have done till our dying day. Some have. But the other 80% have not. He will be here very very soon. He will come like a thief in the night and be gone. Be ready!
Ryan Kempf

this story is very sad surely something can be done