Sabbath: Day to Pray or Day to Play?

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Published: January 7, 2006

Visitor Comments: 32

(32) Anonymous, March 28, 2012 6:51 PM

To commenter #1 (Arnold Mandel). I agree with you 100%.

(31) Anonymous, January 29, 2006 12:00 AM

Why Here & Now?

The decision of the 92nd street Y to remain open on Shabbos is no worse than any Israeli athletic or cultural institutions's decision to remain open on Shabbos. America is a mostly Christian and non-observant society. Though it may be disappointing to R'Salomon to see the Y stay open on Shabbos, it is not surprising nor out of context with the direction of New York City's secular Jewish population. The decision is a reflection of the membership's lobbying to have the facility remain open, not a Jewish moral statement from the board of directors of the Y. R'Salomon would be better off pursuing some type of Shabbos meal offering at the Y to entice people who come to the gym to hear Kiddush & possibly stay for a meal, which many if not all of those people would not experience in the first place.

(30) Debra A. Snipes, January 16, 2006 12:00 AM

Shabbos: Day to Pray or Play?

What do I think? One word ... AMEN!

(29) Peter Kraynik, January 14, 2006 12:00 AM

How did we get here? / Where are we going?

We need a double portion again.

(28) Anonymous, January 13, 2006 12:00 AM

I stand 100% with your opinion

I am a new convert - maybe I do not have the right to comment at all...but as I listened to the video I found myself in complete agreement with you. I feel that if the Jewish people do set the example of a higher standard for the rest of the world - especially the children - then who will??

(27) Hannah Miriam bat Avraham, January 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Non-observance of the Sabbath hurts everyone.

I agree with Rabbi Yaakov Salomon's comments regarding the change in observance by the 92nd St Y. As one who was born a Gentile and came to Judaism as an adult, one of the jewels that drew me to Judaism was the observance of the Sabbath. The treasure of Sabbath obervance brings me new delights of discovery each week. When "Jews keep the Sabbath and the Sabbath keeps the Jews," then the eternal light that HaShem commanded us to be to the nations is still burning brightly. Redemption has a price, but observing the Sabbath is a sweet price to pay and HaShem makes it even more affordable by allowing installments. Thanks to His chesed, my life is sweeter and I am one step closer to Gan Eden with every Shabbat.

(26) Scott E, January 12, 2006 12:00 AM

Learn from History

I would admit that I don't keep Sabbath as I should but I totally agree with Rabbi Salomon. We must learn from our history that every time we try to assimilate and lose our identity there can be dire consequences. While it is the individual decision of members to celebrate the Sabbath, those who know better should not 'de-judiaze' the center. It was founded on certain principals where lines must be drawn. Perhaps next they should serve non-kosher food as well.

(25) Victor Rosenbaum, January 11, 2006 12:00 AM

I totally agree

There is nothing to think about it should be closed. First off why mess with tradition and second what does it hurt to have it not opened for two days. It is not like there arent other gyms.

(24) Bob, January 11, 2006 12:00 AM

A beautiful presentation

I am not observant, but after seeing the sincerity in Rabbi Salomon's face and words, I am moved to appreciate how important Shabbat is to the Jewish people. If this non-judgmental approach characterizes religious Jews, then I think we should be giving them a more careful listen.

(23) sofi, January 11, 2006 12:00 AM

it's sad

May be that there is something important in this situation, may be that young jews in New York have too take more stand for the right to keep Shabbes. Even in darkness there is the light, no?

In the country I live in, everything is like that. A very litle amount of jews here keep the Shabbat. Still it show the variety of jews in the world. That is the way it is, and may be thats the way it has to be. The important thing is to give a choice for those that wants to keep shabbes, thats is what is important I think, because some of them are all alone, and need help....and need a communitie of shabbes...

(22) Ed Fleischman, January 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Bad Decision

While I am not shomer shabbos, I feel it is a VERY big mistake for the 92nd St Y to be open on Shabbat!

(21) Jean Spencer, January 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Amen

I am not an affiliated Jew at present. After 20+ years of witnessing ethical faults of rabbis, board memebers, and congregants I yet remain faithful to the ethical and moral standards of Judaism. I believe the NY Y's decision to open its workout rooms on the Sabbath is a betrayal of faith. I can only see it as a concession to Jews and non-Jewish members who have no regard to where they work out, just so it answers their needs. The management has apparently made this decision one from bottom-line over moral one. That should fit in nicely with Jewish owned stores that either remain open on Saturday or hire employees to keep it open on that day. It also bespeeks money as in control. Shame on anyone who betrays the teachings of their faith; there are limits set and here is yet another example of not respecting them. Kudos to those who see right through what is happening.

(20) Anonymous, January 10, 2006 12:00 AM

The commandment to honor the Sabbath

The commandment to honor the Sabbath is, I believe, as real as if it was just spoken. Hopefully many Jews will feel the same and keep it holy.

(19) S. Lewis, January 10, 2006 12:00 AM

Who lives on West Side

Let's face it, the people who go to the Y are not Sabbath observant anyway and this way they'll at least associate with Jews.

(18) Anonymous, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Wages of Sin

As long as you are exploring the inner meaning of the sabbath in terms of public policy. Consider please who will "pay" the price for this public desecration of the most holy of days. Letters "PE, Ay & Why" are common to both groups indicating public culpability for public desecration.

(17) Laurie Asherman, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

I agree with Rabbi Salomon

It is difficult, in today's American society, to keep Shabbat the way G-d desires. However, for the Jewish community to actually ignore this mitzvah segregates those of us who are trying to live a Torah life from our own brethren. At a time when it is so important for the Jewish community to be united, opening this community center on Shabbat is, at best, ill-advised. G-d separated us from the rest of the world and gave us the commandment and privilege to be a light unto the nations. To ignore G-d and make Shabbat no different from any other day is a giant step toward our own annihilation.

I pray that this decision is reversed before it becomes a model for other community centers in the country.

(16) Natalie Kehr, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Let the people decide.

How about trying an experiment. Open the gym for 3 months. If most people agree with Rabbi Salomon the gym will be empty at those time and the management will close it. If it turns out that most Jewish New Yorkers in the neighborhood don't agree with him then.......My opinion, or the opinion of anyone else outside the neighborhood of the gym, are clearly irrelevant.

(15) Sharon, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

It all comes down to money

The JCC where I live decided to be open on Shabbos because it was losing members to health clubs that are open on Shabbos. It was either be open on Shabbos or go out of business for lack of members. If you want the JCC to close for Shabbos, are you willing to pay higher membership fees to keep it financially solvent?

(14) Anonymous, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Here in Cincinnati

Cincinnati is currently building a new JCC; we are in a small temporary location now, BUT when we had a building with a pool,the pool was open on Shabbat afternoons in the summer. The parking lot was roped off, the snack bar was of course not open and radios could not be played, nor were there swim lessons, but the pool was available for use. I remember guests had to be paid for in advance. A number of us enjoyed reading or playing Scrabble (no score) around the pool while the children swam. The building was closed on Friday nights. This seems to me to be a sensible compromise.

(13) Chana Zelasko, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Where are you?

Yes, it is true. It is a terrible thing that the YMHA will be open on Shabbos. But we have to remember where the YMHA is located. New York City is not L'havdil Yerushalyim. And the influence of Galus is always prevalent. I agree with "Annette." Are they Jews who happen to be American or Americans that happen to be Jewish? Now that is something to think about.

(12) steven of Beachwood, January 9, 2006 12:00 AM

Agree... Half way

The Jcc of Cleveland closes early on friday for the Shabbath,then use to open at one on Saturday with no oraganized activities... Now they have children swim lessions... I think it is wrong to remain open on Friday night after sundown, and open Saturday morning... BUT organize activities during the SABBATH are clearly wrong....

(11) Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

The Need to Publicly Respect Jewish Tradition

As a public Jewish institution, the gym of the 92nd St Y should continue to be closed on the Jewish Sabbath. In this way, they will continue to show public respect for the culture of the Jewish people.

(10) Ann Cohen, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Right on Rabbi!!!!!

I agree with what Rabbi Salamon says!!! If you want more on the subject log on to Rabbi Fran's speech at www.torah.org/shabbos

(9) Anonymous, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

YMHA should not be open on Shabbat

I watched your video and I agree with you. In fact we have the same issues here in Portland, OR with our JCC but I don't think your arguments are strong enough. I don't think anyone will be convinced by your video. I wish you could come up with something better.

(8) Karen Byars, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

92nd Street gym open on Sabbath

Personal freedom is of utmost important to me. I see it being eroded by this administration all the time and it frightens me. And my personal Shabbos observance is spotty, although it's something I continually try to improve upon. Still, it's a personal thing and I don't want anyone foisting their views onto me.

HOWEVER - and this is a huge however - I believe that over one hundred years of tradition, and a tradition that is ours and ours alone, trumps all that. I am forever inconvenienced by stores and other operations that close every Sunday for Christian observance. The few we have we need to keep.

I agree with the Rabbi. It is INSANE to shelve this tradition. We are disappearing. We need to hand onto everything we've got, and we need to build, not tear down....

(7) Dr. Aaron Lerner - Raanana, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Employment issue - Sabbath operations

One should also take into account the impact of adding Sabbath to the gym schedule on the employment opportunities of Sabbath observers (and potential Sabbath observers)at the facility.

(6) Jerry Lindell, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Rabbi is OK but doesn't see clear

Its Friday eve and I want to talk to a Jewish girl. I can now go to the YMHA.
There are no more Jewish Neighborhoods. Never were there Friday night Socials (dances). So I go to a
dance studio, pay my $8 and Dance with a Polish girl from S.I. I'm sure the Rabbi knows what the percentage is of Jews marrying Jews.
Love,( But very annoyed)
Jerry

(5) Anonymous, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

my views have changed

I used to think the same as you--that JCCs should not open on Shabbat. Indeed, I still think they ought to be closed on Friday nights and Shabbat morning, and that there should be lots of quality Friday night and shabbat morning family programming all across the community. However, for those families who are not shomer shabbat, I am delighted that their children now have the option to interact with other Jewish kids at the JCC, rather than the only choices being to go to the movies or the mall.

(4) Gwen, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Who made the decision?

Who was on the board of directors when the decision was made? It seems to me that the problem started there. Were the members polled prior to the decision? The decision may be due to changing attitudes toward separation of church and state (Y's receive federal funding) or assimilation of the members. In either case the "enemy" here is not the Y but those who aren't willing to fight against the root issues wherever they appear.

(3) Annette, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

there's nothing to think about

so now it becomes another American hang out... not a Jewish Institution
so, maybe the topic for American Jews should be to focus on wether you are Americans who happen to be Jews or Jews who happen to be American.
I say keep it closed. Nothing to think about here.

(2) Anonymous, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

Why not?

Why does the building being open for those who want to use it affect those who don't want to use it? If I'm sabbath observant and go to the gym the other days of the week, why should I care who goes on the days that I'm not there? Those who want to go to the gym aren't observing Shabbat (at least in a traditional way) anyway.

(1) Arnold I Mandel, January 8, 2006 12:00 AM

A small leak in a dam can destroy the whole structure. The sabbath is to be honored. Close the gym. Those who want to dishonor the sabbath can find an other place to do so. Take off you shoes you are on holy ground

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

Sabbath: Day to Pray or Day to Play?

Who decides Community Center policy? (2 min. 27 sec)

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