A Different Kind of Stardom

Moshav Luzit was founded in 1955 by North African Jewish refugees. Taking its name from the almond trees filling the area, Luzit is largely surrounded by scenic farmland. It’s located near natural and archeological tourist attractions like the ancient Luzit Caves. Belev Echad has been inspiring its residents for the past 20 years.

Many twelve year old Israeli boys dream about becoming national soccer champions. 

Yosef Ben-Moshe was different than most. He knew his dream could easily come true.

By far the best junior player on his moshav, Yosef had already brought his team to victory in junior competitions around the country. He spent most of his spare time getting better at his sport, and loved every minute. 

His parents, thrilled about their son’s exciting prospects, did everything they could to support his training, even changing around their own schedules to accommodate his training times.

As he neared his thirteenth birthday, though, they asked him to make one small shift: fit in some youth classes given by Rabbi Meir, the moshav’s Belev Echad representative. Nonobservant but fondly traditional, they believed Yosef should do something to prepare for his bar mitzvah, and these local classes were a convenient solution.

Yosef went to the first few classes curious, and came home excited. He quickly connected with Rabbi Meir and enjoyed the fascinating Torah stories and ideas he was learning. He especially liked the sound of Shabbat and its special meaning to the Jewish people.

Then came a class where Rabbi Meir started detailing the activities we hold ourselves back from on Shabbat. Yosef listened with growing apprehension. No using electricity? No driving? No traveling?

Did that mean if he wanted to keep Shabbat, he’d have to give up Saturday soccer matches?

That class sparked an inner turmoil that lasted for months. Countless tournaments – countless crucial opportunities – happened on Shabbat. Not playing in those games would limit his chances of national soccer stardom.

But if playing meant riding a bus on Shabbat… Yosef so badly wanted to keep Shabbat…

After more than a few sleepless nights, countless conversations with Rabbi Meir, and even more serious thinking, Yosef slowly stopped playing on Shabbat. Soccer still filled the rest of his week, but he skipped the Saturday matches.

His parents and coaches weren’t thrilled about his decision. Rabbi Meir had to field some angry comments about “destorying the boy’s career” and “stealing him for our moshav.” So Yosef tried to reassure everyone that he wasn’t dropping soccer. His options were still open. Perhaps he’d still become a star one day.

Years started to pass. Yosef grew stronger both in his soccer prowess and his love of Judaism. He brought both with him when he started his army service at eighteen. 

Recognizing his blazing talent, the army offered him special accommodations so he could keep training and playing. On the religion front, he spent hours per week on the phone with Rabbi Meir, whose warmth and encouragement helped overcome the challenges of his new environment.

Then he left the army. “Real life” was officially beginning. And he knew he had to decide, once and for all, what he was going to do with it.

Throw himself completely into becoming a national soccer star – or commit to a fully Shabbat-observant life, and leave the fame behind?

It was a difficult decision. But with Rabbi Meir and Belev Echad’s loving support strengthening him, he chose Shabbos. Torah. Truth.

His Moshav lost a national soccer star. But Am Yisrael gained a faithful Shabbat keeper.

Today, at 24 years old, Yosef runs the sports department for the Beit Shemesh municipality. He arranges match schedules, trains young players, and plays in intercity games – but only when they don’t conflict with Shabbat.

A true student of Belev Echad, Shabbat is simply too precious to him.