Sharp Polemic Letter from the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld about the Prohibition of Playing Soccer

Sharp Polemic Letter from the Gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld about the Prohibition of Playing Soccer

Polemic protest letter, one of the most resolute ever seen from the mara d'Ara Yisrael, the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, opposing soccer games on Shabbat in Jerusalem, signed in his hand. Jerusalem, 1927.

Rare and important letter in which the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld presents the pure Jewish perspective on soccer. Soccer may appear at first glance to be harmless and perhaps even a positive and healthy pastime, yet the gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld's crystal eyes view it as one of the most dangerous threats to the Jewish way of life. He describes it with the harshest of epithets: "This Greek culture destroyed the house of Elok-m ... and those who hold such sports and games have their minds confused by external influences. The King who desires life does not desire the wicked who are called dead while still alive"!

The gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld even excommunicates soccer players, separating them from the Jewish nation: "With the power of Torah, we hereby announce that all who are involved with soccer games, especially on Shabbat, remove themselves from the Jewish people, just like all the heretics and apostates." The gaon Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is not finished with this, he curses the spectators as well: "And all who attempt to watch the games will not have the privilege of seeing the true joy that awaits them in their salvation"!

This resolute and unusual announcement indeed stopped soccer from making inroads, and to this day, there is almost no Chareidi person who will go watch a soccer game, even those that take place on weekdays.

[2] pp, 28 cm.

Moderate-fine condition. Filing perforations. Aging stains. Fold marks. Slight tears in the margins, without lack.