Observance of Sabbath costs Yeshiva athlete shot at title

[davidinalameda]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/02/23/m1a_YESHIVA_0223.html

Despite tying for first place in the semifinals of the Queen of the Hill three-point shooting competition Friday, Bassie Orzechowitz won't be competing in today's finals.

That's because Orzechowitz, a senior at Weinbaum Yeshiva High School in Boca Raton, will be observing the Jewish Sabbath. The basketball competition begins at 6:15 p.m., and the Sabbath ends at sundown - 6:18 p.m. Orzechowitz is staying 45 minutes away from the Lakeland Center and won't be able to make it to the arena in time.

"We did not feel it was appropriate," he said when asked whether he considered asking the other competitors about a time change.

[Dorian Gray]

1. I respect him

for giving up something that is probably important to him for his religious beliefs. That's not an easy decision for anybody, particularly a high school aged boy.

[Meshuga]

2. This kid is like Walter Sobchak...

...from "The Big Lebowski" (played by John Goodman): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA_qX-eUgbs