What does the Bible say about... the end of Beckham's England career?
Earlier last month, Fabio Capello expressed his frustration at the overwhelmingly negative reaction to his decision to axe Beckham without first informing the England legend.
Specifically he fears that the furore surrounding his announcement to retire David Beckham is turning into a witch hunt intended to undermine his position as England manager. Capello insists that he still has a good relationship with David Beckham.
From a Torah perspective, there are various angles to consider. For instance, few football players extend their career beyond the age of forty. To stay "in the game", players must be able to demonstrate qualities not needed in most jobs. The concept of value to the job situation is not strange to Judaism. In Temple times, if one pledged one's life as a donation to the Sanctuary, an estimate of one's worth in the job market was used to quantify the donation. Agility and fitness can therefore be a determining factor, unlike other posts that draw on wisdom rather than physical capacity.
The right to hire and fire is another serious point of discussion. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden for disobedience, but even then only once they were properly interviewed. Decisions must not be taken behind backs. If it is true that Mr Beckham received a letter in the post informing him of this development - even if he subsequently failed to complain of the matter - it would seem unjust. Imagine Adam and Eve finding themselves locked out of paradise one morning with nought but a letter by homing pigeon confirming their demotion. How much more so if Adam had behaved well and never eaten the forbidden fruit!
But has David really performed well? Presuming he is sufficiently fit, has his example in recent times brought pride to his team, supporters and country? Or have some sportsmen-turned-celebrities been more than a disappointment to us all, particularly in the recent World Cup?
Maimonides castigates those who under-perform at work. He paraphrases the verse from Jeremiah "he who does his work dishonestly". Only a devoted manager can hope to correctly assess who is really worth having on the team. Argentina's shortcomings in the World Cup are linked by some to Maradona's inability to manage team performance.
If Fabio is devoted to his team, are the fans devoted to him? He too must decide whether, as our Sages say in Ethics "his reward is eclipsed by his losses". In spite of his level of accountability, he is right to protest unrelenting media scrutiny. The Talmud insists on a right to privacy and implements measures to safeguard from voyeurism and unduly pressurising examination. Even Adam was asked softly "where are you" by God before being interrogated. Only Hillel is singled out as the patient sufferer of a pestering paparazzo on Friday afternoon as he tried to bathe undisturbed before Shabbat. The media must do their job, but need to accept that sometimes should a journalist ring the doorbell and encounter no answer, he or she should leave the parties sought in peace and return home!
Rabbi Ariel Abel is Director of Jewish Identity Projects, a project of the Jewish Heraldic Foundation. He is former Rabbi of Radlett United Synagogue; and Director of the Montefiore Endowment Semicha Programme.
