Fighting Halachically?
Is it kosher to box? Thanks to Yuri “Lion of Zion” Foreman and Dmitriy “Star of David” Salita, this is no esoteric question. After all, Foreman just lasted nine rounds against Miguel Cotto in Yankee Stadium, a match he lost in a technical knockout but fought through obvious pain and with such ferocity that he made the tribe proud. And while it’s true that Salita lost his last fight in less time than it takes to sing Simon and Garfunkel’s boxer song, it was his first defeat as a professional boxer.
Both men say they are observant Jews, and won’t fight on Shabbat or holidays, and Foreman is almost a rabbi, so the halachic question is fair game. Naturally, tradition provides an answer to suit anyone’s preference.
In Jewish text, there is a prohibition against excessive violence — many rabbinic interpretations of biblical verses come to that conclusion. There is also an obvious discomfort with injuring oneself.
But other scholars say that a prohibition against boxing rests on two caveats: safety and permission. For some, it hinges on whether the activity is done in a manner that prevents harm — by wearing headgear, for instance. Others say that if permission is granted, if you enter the ring willingly, then it’s okay.
Or, as Foreman told late-night talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel recently: “Me and my opponent, we’re aware of the risks involved in the game, and we already signed the contract, and we already know what’s involved, so it’s a kind of a bit of a green light.”
Of course, Foreman also had this to say: “I started boxing way before I came to religion. Right now, boxing is my job, and rabbis’ salaries are not that big.” Yeah, that’s the answer.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
