By COLlive reporter
Victor Espinoza, the Mexican native who is hoping to make history by riding the first Triple Crown-winning horse in 37 years, turned to a spiritual source for blessing.
Espinoza, a jockey who will compete in the 2015 Belmont Stakes horse race in Elmont, NY, came to pray at the Rebbe’s Ohel at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Cambria Heights, Queens.
CBSNewYork reported that Espinoza visited the grave site of the Rebbe, “considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century” and where “hundreds of thousands come to the cemetery every year 24/7 to pray.”
Espinoza opened a prayer book, recited psalms, wrote out his own message and added his to a mountain of prayers at the sacred site, the TV station said.
He was flanked by Rabbi Efraim Zaltzman, Director of Chabad of Kingsborough in Brooklyn, Kabbalah teacher Rabbi Berel Lerman and Rabbi Motti Seligson, Director of Media Relations at Chabad.org.
Espinoza, who is not Jewish, said that after receiving a blessing from Rabbi Sholom Ber Korf Chabad of Delray in Florida last month, he scheduled the detour to the Ohel from his regular race prep for the Belmont, COLlive was told.
“So much energy right here,” he said. “It would kind of build you up right here. It’s like good energy drinks.”
Mike Weitz, Espinoza’s Jewish publicist, said: “He believes with G-d’s help and the Rebbe interceding for him that he’s going to be very successful and very safe.”
Meanwhile, the owners of American Pharoah Thoroughbred racehorse, which Espinoza will be riding, have announced that they will be observing the Shabbos on the day of the race.
The Zayats were raised in Egypt as observant Jews. On race day, which is the Sabbath, the family will abstain from driving in observance and will camp overnight in luxury RVs on Belmont’s grounds, CBS reported.
“We have a value system in our life, and that is a priority in our family, said Ahmed Zayat, who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey. “G-d comes first. (Then) family, country and all the others — all the others, you can put horse racing in them.”
How is it ever ok for an observant Jew to earn money on Shabbos?
It just keeps me smiling that they were Jews
Amazing.
If owner of American Pharoh walked from RV camp to Belmont Park, did not bet, and winning monies are exchanged on days after the race can’t see what is wrong with running horse on Saturday. We are not Orthodox but have Modern Orthodox friends. They could watch the race after sundown on Saturday on the news. There is always a way. THE HORSE WON THE RACE.
What’s chabads cut for its service?
What’s chabads cut for its service?
to greet a parade of horses and jockeys to the Ohel from now on…
American Pharaoh actually won today.
I asked Victor to go to the Ohel because I wanted him to win this “almost impossible” to win race. I felt as most that he had a good chance to win the Triple Crown and with the Rebbe’s blessing and Hashem’s help he would do it. It’s that simple. Victor needed to pray and read Tehillim and receive G-d’s blessing. Let’s pray that Victor is worthy of doing what’s right with his new-found celebrity status – within the 7 Noachide laws – to continue to give charity and other acts of kindness.
American Pharaoh actually won today.
HE WON!
an amazing win by 2 lengths.
I guess this worked he won
!!!!
of course they won!!
Rabbi Meir Said” “The grass will be growing out of your [Rabbi Akivah] ears – snd still Moshiach will not have come. ” Yes, it would be nice if f Moshiach came right now.
Till then, let’s get back to work.
This is not about gambling. its about a famous non Jew being guided by the Rebbes Shluchim in the 7 Mitzvohs.. that asked the Rebbe a Brocho to win the race not the bet. meanwhile .. perhaps .. millions of ppl amongst them many Jews learned about the Rebbe and Shabbos who probably would not know of Hanosi hu hakol and not about Shabbos… that u can b successful in USA in 2015 and With it…. and keep Shabbos. Etc… the massive Kiddush Hashem is hard to imagine all without compromising in Halacha in any way…. seems like a win… Read more »
As it is well known of the Rebbes Koch in the 7 mitzvohs of Noach.. The Rebbe wanted to influence all people to do their mitzvohs and be a good person and spread goodness around them. In the Rebbes words tov tzedek veyosher
I spy rabbi avi zwiebel at :40
What a story and thank you COL for being on top of your game (pun intended) as always shout out to rabbi lord of Delray for instigating this. All he did was give him a Brocha and it now went viral
Everything we do has ripples
The name is from Jewish origin from Spain. it’s related to a famous Jewish philosopher from the 17th century who abandoned his faith. This come to full circle Moshiah Now
The idea that a tzadik would intercede on behalf of horse jockey to win a race sounds strange to me, especially knowing how apposed the Rebbe was to gambling. I remember Lubavitch UK received an answer from the Rebbe not to honor at the annual dinner the owner of large horse betting business.
This would have been a dream of mine to have been there then! May the best horse win and bring back a title that has not been won since affirmed in 1978! American Pharoah you can do it!
-cz
BEUTIFUL KIDUSH HASHEM.
MAY WE ALL LEARN TO RIGHT TO THE REBBE FOR OUR OWN PEULOS.
May you continue doing good things!
i wonder why they didnt go with the jockey???