It has now been exactly 50 years since the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time, that would be back then and still is today Mr. Sandy Koufax, brought Yom Kippur into the heart of every conversation in America. No, ‘Yom’ was hardly a Los Angeles teammate, yet I’ll never forget the stir it caused. Koufax was scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers in the first game of the 1965 World Series against a great Minnesota Twins team. And he stonily declined!
Sandy quietly refused the start in order to honor the most important High Holy Day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.
You would have thought the Apocalypse would occur after a nationwide uproar but, no, Sandy stood like an oak for his religious convictions. What’s even better, I remember what actually happened after that.
To save any suspense, Koufax pitched the all-important seventh game in the World Series that year, fanning 10 Twins batters while allowing just three hits in an absolutely brilliant gem. The Dodgers won the World Championship with that afternoon’s 2-0 victory and, coupled with another shutout in the second game (3-0), Koufax was awarded the Series’ Most Valuable Player trophy.
Think about that for a moment: Sandy gave nary a run in two World Series starts! Hall-of-Famer Harmon Killebrew (25 homers) was Minnesota’s big bat but you add Tony Olivia (hitting .321 with 99 RBIs), Earl Battey, league MVP Zolio Versalles, Bob Allison and Jimmie Bailey and, my goodness, one shutout would be unthinkable, much less two.
The Twins had won a franchise-high 102 games with such lumber during the regular season but had never seen the heat the southpaw Koufax could bring. After Koufax sealed the deal and the Dodgers won the deciding seventh game, one newspaper headline boldly proclaimed, “Dodgers Win! God Is Thrilled!”
Following the ’65 Series, Koufax was regularly referred to by other Boys in the “Bigs” as “The Left Arm of God.” Honest truth. One more funny line: As Koufax fasted and prayed at his synagogue during Game One, Dodger skipper Walter Alston went with future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale on the mound that afternoon, who soon gave up 10 hits in a frightful 8-2 loss. After the game one reporter joked with Alston, “I bet you wish Drysdale was Jewish too!”
Seriously, Koufax sitting the first game out because of his devout Jewish beliefs, did more to explain Yom Kippur’s magnificence to America’s believers and unbelievers alike than any rabbi ever could. As Jews around the world celebrate today, it is the most important day on the Jewish calendar. Also called “The Day of Atonement” in English, the Jews believe this is the day God “seals the deal.”
Here’s what basically happens: During Rosh Hashanah, which is the first day of the year on the Jewish calendar, the Jews believe that God inscribes a person’s fate for the New Year in what is called “The Book of Life.” This year Rosh Hashanah was from sunset on Sept. 13 until nightfall on Sept. 15. (In 2016 it will be sunset Oct. 2 until nightfall Oct. 4.)
But Yom Kippur is much bigger. It started at sunset last night and will continue until nightfall today (about 8:15 p.m.) After it gets dark tonight, there is a big feast called “break fast.” But, first, in the 10 days following Rosh Hashanah – called “The Days of Awe” -- the Jews believe you must prayerfully seek forgiveness for any wrongdoings against God and/or your fellow man.
The prayers become most fervent during Yom Kippur, which is so serious the 25 hours of fasting doesn’t even include water and all earthy pleasures are strictly forbidden, like kissing. (Woe be unto anybody who complains of thirst or, much worse, a lack of kissing. Whew!)
Even the Jews that our Baptist brothers might call ‘back-sliders,’ since they rarely attend synagogue during the year, do not dare ignore Yom Kippur. It’s that serious and nobody but nobody messes with the “Book of Life” deadline. The Orthodox Jews practice what they call “mikveh” the day before Yom Kippur, where, in order to apologize to God, they must pray, repent, and give to charity.
But today -- all over the world -- is one of intensive prayers and worship because no Jew (just as no Christian, Muslim, Hindu or some plain-out sinner) wants to get less than a passing mark in The Book of Life. Are you kidding me? But always remember this: 50 years ago after celebrating Yom Kippur, Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax with his flame-thrower of a left arm pitched two shutouts in the 1965 World Series. Much more importantly, that year he honored God over the game he loved. That’s a documentable fact, and, oh, that any of us could ever be as blessed.
While I am a Christian, I adore the readings each week that Rabbi Shaul Perlstein of Chabad-Lubavitch of Chattanooga is so wonderful to share with me. Believe this: Rabbi Perlstein is the best thing to happen to Chattanooga since Kevin Spiegel came to town. The rabbi’s Yom Kippur message this week touched my very core and please allow me to share it as I pray today for the Nation of Israel, its future in the New Year, and my Jewish friends everywhere:
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THE SECRET OF YOM KIPPUR PRAYERS
I read a story of a jeweler in Jerusalem who watched as a 9-year-old girl strolled back and forth for an hour eyeing different pieces of jewelry when, finally, she exclaimed, “I want to buy that bracelet,” pointing it out to a $3,000 masterpiece.
The jeweler kindly said, “My, you have wonderful taste. But are you sure this is the one you want?"
“It’s for my older sister,” the girl answered. “I want to get her something really nice because she takes care of us since our parents died.”
The jeweler was moved and generously accepted the $2 worth of shekels the little orphan had to pay. With tears in his eyes, the jeweler delicately wrapped the bracelet, handed it to the girl with a big smile.
Not long after, the older sister appeared. She strode across the store, thrust the bracelet at the jeweler and said, “Here is your bracelet. I am terribly embarrassed.”
“Why are you embarrassed?” the jeweler gently asked.
“I am sure this bracelet is very expensive,” she responded. “My sister could not possibly have paid you what it is worth.”
The jeweler replied, “You could not be more wrong. Every day people come into my store and buy expensive jewelry for their loved ones, but they can well afford what they are paying. Your sister paid me with seven shekels, 80 agorot … and a pure heart. You see, I am a widower, and from the day my wife died, this is the first time I have felt what love means. Your sister paid me in full.”
At this time of year, we gather in synagogue to pray to (God) for a happy, fulfilling and healthy year. Are our prayers and promises enough? Well, depends on our payment. All we need is a little pure heart and the answer will be YES!
We at Chabad of Chattanooga join you in hope and prayer as together we approach the new Jewish year of 5776.
Wishing you a happy and healthy sweet New Year!
Rabbi Shaul Perlstein
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Now you really understand Yom Kippur. And how the greatest lefty, Sandy Koufax – pure of heart – threw those two shutouts 50 years ago. What thrilling stuff!
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