Rafael Halperin
Encyclopedia
Rafael Halperin was a prominent Israel
i businessman and the author of several religious books and an encyclopedia. In the 1950s, he worked in the United States as a professional wrestler
in Vince McMahon Sr.'s Capitol Wrestling in the 1950s. He later became a Baal teshuva
, embracing Orthodox Judaism
.
and Jerusalem as a teenager. He also excelled in several athletic pursuits, including weightlifting and karate
. He entered competitions and became the national champion in karate, boxing, and bodybuilding. He is also said to have been a skilled diamond cutter
.
(fan favorite), refusing to break any rules, for the same reason.
Halperin continued to wrestle in the United States and Canada into the 1960s. During this time, he faced such opponents as Antonino Rocca
while competing for Capitol Wrestling. He later returned to Israel, where he is credited with popularizing professional wrestling.
, he served in the Israel Defense Forces
. Halperin also founded a chain of optical centers in Israel. In 2008, he and his wife Bertie decided to divide the optical business among their five children.
Halperin had also been ordained a rabbi
. Because of his orthodox Jewish beliefs, he was opposed to businesses operating on Shabbat
. To combat this "desecration" of the holy day, Halperin led an initiative to create a credit card
containing a chip
that renders it inoperable on Saturday. It is also designed not to function in any store known to operate on Shabbat.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i businessman and the author of several religious books and an encyclopedia. In the 1950s, he worked in the United States as a professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
in Vince McMahon Sr.'s Capitol Wrestling in the 1950s. He later became a Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
, embracing Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
.
Early life
Born in Austria, Halperin moved to Palestine with his family in 1933. The Halperin family moved to Bnei Brak the following year, and Rafael studied in HaifaHaifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
and Jerusalem as a teenager. He also excelled in several athletic pursuits, including weightlifting and karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. He entered competitions and became the national champion in karate, boxing, and bodybuilding. He is also said to have been a skilled diamond cutter
Diamond cutting
Diamond cutting is the art, skill and, increasingly, science of changing a diamond from a rough stone into a faceted gem. Cutting diamond requires specialized knowledge, tools, equipment, and techniques because of its extreme difficulty....
.
Professional wrestling
Halperin decided that he wanted to open a chain of athletic facilities, so he began wrestling professionally to earn the necessary money. His career took him to the United States, where he was reported to have won 159 consecutive matches. He earned the displeasure of some promoters and fellow wrestlers because he treated his matches as legitimate athletic contests rather than a scripted performance. He refused to yield, however, as he felt that he was upholding the dignity of his country. He also wrestled as a faceFace (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
(fan favorite), refusing to break any rules, for the same reason.
Halperin continued to wrestle in the United States and Canada into the 1960s. During this time, he faced such opponents as Antonino Rocca
Antonino Rocca
Antonino Rocca was an Italian-born Argentine professional wrestler. Rocca was a popular face and in some cities with both Italian-American and especially Hispanic audiences, his following was exceptionally large and loyal.He had a love for opera and was apparently described as having an excellent...
while competing for Capitol Wrestling. He later returned to Israel, where he is credited with popularizing professional wrestling.
Business
After retiring from wrestling, Halperin held several jobs in his home country. He fulfilled his dream of opening a chain of athletic centers. He also became an author, writing several books including an encyclopedia and a weight-loss guide. During the Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, he served in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
. Halperin also founded a chain of optical centers in Israel. In 2008, he and his wife Bertie decided to divide the optical business among their five children.
Halperin had also been ordained a rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. Because of his orthodox Jewish beliefs, he was opposed to businesses operating on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
. To combat this "desecration" of the holy day, Halperin led an initiative to create a credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
containing a chip
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
that renders it inoperable on Saturday. It is also designed not to function in any store known to operate on Shabbat.