Man pays $1,000 so atheist ex-Hasid will keep Sabbath

[rug]

Ari Mandel, aka ‘Rachmuna Litzlon,’ was fundraising for a charity run when a businessman made him an offer he couldn’t refuse

October 30, 2013, 6:15 pm
By Lazar Berman

What’s the going rate for an ex-Hasidic, atheist US army veteran to religiously observe a single Sabbath?

One thousand dollars, it turns out.

It also turns out that, like many good stories, this one begins with a single tweet.

Ari Mandel, who grew up in Monsey, New York, has been trying to raise money for Chai Lifeline, which helps children who’ve contracted life-threatening illnesses, by running in the Jerusalem marathon next March. He was having trouble reaching the $4,500 minimum when someone tweeted to him that we would contribute $10 if Mandel would keep just one Sabbath.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/man-pays-1000-so-atheist-ex-hasid-will-keep-sabbath/

[cbayer]

1. Great story. I bet they end up having a great time.

Believe or not, keeping the Sabbath can be a really healthy thing to do.

So many can't just shut it down for a day, and shutting it down is what a lot of people need to do.

[edhopper]

3. On the other hand

the ridiculous ends that the orthodox go to to "keep the Sabbath" can be exhausting and at times, ludicrous.

[cbayer]

4. I haven't spent much time with Orthodox Jews, but I do have a few friends who

observe the Sabbath. In general, it's not extreme and seems to be good for them.

Some people can give themselves days like that. Others do it more easily when there is a reason.

Makes the world go round.

[pinto]

2. Good read. Both sound like good guys. Hope the collaboration works and Mandel has a fine marathon.

[LostOne4Ever]

5. They got off cheap (nt)