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Source: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/An-Israeli-Koufax-506434
Why an Israeli Athlete's Decision Not to Play on Yom Kippur Matters
(Jerusalem Post) Editorial - Conjuring up memories of Sandy Koufax, Israel's top-ranked male tennis player, Dudi Sela, quit the quarterfinals of a Chinese tournament mid-match Friday out of deference to Yom Kippur. Sela's request to play the first match of the day on the main court so that he would have time to finish before sunset was turned down by the organizers of the contest. Sela's personal sacrifice was huge. It is believed that he forfeited $34,000 in prize money and 90 ranking points. Like Koufax's decision on Oct. 6, 1965, to sit out the first game of the World Series, Sela's retirement on Yom Kippur eve made a statement: there are some things that stand above sports. This is a powerful message. Life is not all about self-realization and personal advancement. True meaning often comes from selfless acts that affirm our deeper affiliation and belonging. Like Koufax, Sela is a source of pride for the Jewish people.