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Elevators Krav Maga Teeth Cars
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
November 27, 2024, Israel
Children's workbooks often have exercises such as, there are four objects, a pear, an apple, an orange, and an elephant, which of these is not like the others?
It is a good exercise because it causes children to think, to analyze. So, if we look at the title of this blog, elevators, Krav Maga, teeth, and cars, it looks as if they have nothing whatsoever in common, but they do. The answer is they all require regular maintenance, and the consequences of not maintaining them will be very costly, or deadly.
Don't take care of your teeth, soon you will face very costly treatment. Don't maintain your car, you will face not only costly repairs, but you may be driving a car that is not safe for the road, your negligence can lead to your death and the deaths of others. Elevators: In Israel every elevator has a license in it, posted for all to see. It shows the date of the most recent inspection and the signature and qualifications of the person who did the inspection. A few years ago, there was a terrible incident during a major rainstorm, a young couple were trapped in an elevator that collapsed and fell to the ground. They both died. Someone was guilty of not properly maintaining the elevator. Maintenance is very important.
Likewise, with Krav Maga. To some people earning a black belt in a martial art is just an "achievement", as in, I set out to accomplish a goal, I achieved that goal, I will put my diploma up for display, and I am done with that, off to another adventure. For others it is a matter of learning not to be a victim and to protect others. In such a case your training ends when you check out of this life, not a moment sooner.
This is a skill that must be constantly upgraded, and it most certainly must be maintained. Some think it is "like riding a bike", i.e. it is something you never forget, but this is not true. Your skills erode, your ability to defend yourself diminishes. If you are not moving forward, you are slipping backwards. Back in the Oyama dojo I recall a young man wearing a white belt. I quickly noticed that he was actually quite experienced. Turns out he was a black belt in the very tough style of our dojo, Kyokushin Karate, but he had been inactive for a little while, as such the tradition is that one puts on a white belt until the head instructor indicates that he can resume wearing his black belt. I have never forgotten that lesson.
If someone earned a black belt in IKI Krav Maga, but has not been a member for a decade, well, don't expect to come back and test for second dan black belt, you will first have to catch up on all the new material, and brush up on all the old material. We have not been standing still, your rank is no longer current, and, I hate to say it, but...no longer valid. It is a historical remanent of your past. If you call was to check this off your bucket list, great, you have achieved that and the diploma is yours to put on display, but if your goal was to be able to defend yourself and protect others, I am not so sure.
You need to maintain your teeth if you hope to be able to chew your own food when you get older. You need to maintain your car if you hope to avoid expensive car repairs, breaking down on the road, or worse. You need to make sure the elevator in your building has been inspected on a regular basis, if you wish to avoid plummeting to your death, and you need to make sure your Krav Maga skills are up to date if you wish to defend yourself, or to teach others.
Moshe Katz, training continuously for nearly 4 decades, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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