Value Respect Krav Maga
By Moshe Katz
CEO
Israeli Krav International

October 27, 2019, Skjetten, , Norway

People often speak of Respect. I respect what you do. But respect is of little value, it implies no commitment, no sacrifice, no effort. Value is a different story. 

Years ago I attended a seminar by a visiting karate master in Israel. The host asked for a volunteer to drive around our guest, I volunteered. Towards the end of the next day it was clear that there was no time for me to go back to my home to get my karate gi, but the guest instructor said not to worry. I told him I needed my gi as I did not want to appear disrespectful, showing up at his seminar without the appropriate outfit, a karate gi. He taught me a valuable lesson that day: He said, the fact that you spent all this time taking care of me, the fact that you took off there days from work for the seminar, that is what respect is all about, the karate gi is only a symbol. You don't need it. 

I understood. By making the effort to attend the seminar, by making the effort to let our guest instructor know he was valued and taken care of, that was in fact, the respect. 

Value and respect are connected but are not exactly the same. 

By doing something, by attending, by paying, by showing up and making an effort, you are showing that you value what this person has to offer. It is not about HIM, it is about YOU. You are showing that this lesson, these teachings, are of value to you.

A recent discussion: Yes, they all respect you very much, they are very proud of what you do. 

Me: So why don't they come to my classes?

Answer: They are busy.

My perspective: If you value what I have to offer, if you really think it matters, then you will make every effort to be there. Nothing will stand in your way but the most insurmountable obstacles. There will be times we cannot attend two important events at the same time, but if an event is truly of value to us we will make a supreme effort to be there. 

When students come to our Tour and Train program in Israel, or our Five Day Training Camp, this shows they value what we offer. They feel it is worth the expense, the time, the effort because there is value for them in our teachings. When people come to our seminars, some travel long distances by car, some take a flight, again this shows they see value in what we offer, they are making the effort because they stand to gain from the experience. 


This is seeing value, and this is the ultimate respect.