[RBS] COMMENT - RE: ABIR/QESHETH HEBREW WARRIOR ARTS

[Miriam Hirsch]

  I don't usually like to get involved in what other people write on the
list, as everyone is free to have their own opinions, however I feel obliged
to speak on behalf of all us who dedicated many years to martial arts to
clarify the misleading advertisment posted below.

IT IS INNACCURATE AND WRONG to say that there is an "Issur Torah" to train
in martial arts that originated in countries like Japan, China and Brazil.

Martial arts were originally developed throughout the world in order to
survive the "neccessary wars" and/or evil attacks by bandits and suchlike.
This was done since the beginning of time and had nothing to do with idol
worship nor sorcery.

Historically, various leaders, both religious and secular, combined the
fighting arts together with healing powers, whether real or fabricated, in
order to impress audiences and gain more political favor, power and so
on...This was done to provide them with a way to rule by FEAR and control
the free mind of the masses.

Most masters who nowadays teach martial arts teach the art for COMBAT AND/OR
HEALTH PURPOSES only. It is very rare to find teachers who will make idol
worship and/or sorcery part of the curriculum, and if so it is easy to
spot!!!
Even those wishing to cultivate the "spirit" use mostly secular/scientific
methods together with knowledge of "energy flow" in the body - the same
theories used in Chinese Medicine today.

 In addition, there is no one martial art better than another, they all have
their merits and approaches to combat situations. It is up to the student to
find the martial art that is most suited to their character and level of
fitness.

I have seen your Master, the Aluf Abir Yehoshua Sofer whose skills and art
are very good and smart. But a good Teacher should always advocate respect
for their counterparts in other styles and certainly not come up with such
inaccurate statements, saying that *"...martial arts from Japan, China and
Brazil (i.e. Capoeira) are based on sorcery and/or outright idolatry, and
that it is an issur Torah to train in them -- moreover, that foreign martial
art systems (including Krav Maga) are based on the godless belief in the
"might of one's own hand" and kefirah"* - especially when the removal of the
ego and the emphasis on the fact that there will always be someone better
than us somewhere - ie: working on humility - is part of most good martial
arts training. Understanding that eventually turns the learning of Martial
Arts into learning to fight our own character flaws in order to become
better people, knowing our place and promoting kindness.

These Martial arts have long been practiced by many orthodox pupils
including many Rabbis and have never proved problematic in any way. If you
still have doubts, you should ask your own Rabbi and follow his psak. Still,
future advertisements should refrain from denigrating other forms of martial
arts.

Avi Hirsch - Sifu
Ving Tsun Kung Fu
Medical Chi-Kong Instructor - Certified by Wingate.

Avi Hirsch is a religious orthodox trainer and life student of martial arts
with 23 year experience training and 10 years experience teaching.
Avi Hirsch has no experience whatsoever with idol worship nor sorcery.
Avi Hirsch uses Chinese Physiotherapy (Tuina) and Ear-Acupuncture to treat
orthopedic problems such as muscle or joint pains, stiffness, stress related
conditions, chronic pain and sport injuries.

Everyone is welcome to join my classes in RBS A and/or in Jerusalem.

Avi Hirsch

Meridian Clinic

077-335-0653
www.meridians.co.il                     (Part of Meridian Health and Fitness
Ltd)


CHINESE MASSAGE
Using Shiatsu & Tuina techiques - on top of clothe

PAIN RELIEF TREATMENTS
Using: Tuina Physiotherapy and Auricular Acupuncture

MEDICAL TAICHI / CHIKONG Classes & Workshops
Chinese exercise routines for maintaining a healthy mind and body.

MARTIAL ARTS
Kung Fu, Taichi and Meditation. Short Self defence workshops. Groups and
Private Tuition available.


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[RBS] TRAINING BEGINS IN RBS MATNAS ABIR/QESHETH HEBREW WARRIOR ARTS
Posted by: "elinasplace" elinasplace at yahoo.com
Mon Sep 7, 2009 2:31 am (PDT)


NEW IN RAMAT BEIT SHEMESH...

TRAINING BEGINS IN...
ABIR/QESHETH HEBREW WARRIOR ARTS ®
Adonenu Borenu Iyotzrenu Rofenu...

Did you know that ...

* ...martial arts from Japan, China and Brazil (i.e. Capoeira) are based on
sorcery and/or outright idolatry, and that it is an issur Torah to train in
them -- moreover, that foreign martial art systems (including Krav Maga) are
based on the godless belief in the "might of one's own hand" and kefirah ?

* ...we, `Am Yisrael, have our own fighting system as an unbroken 'massorah'
from the days of the Tanakh, as it was preserved by the Habbani Jews of
Yemen -- based on the Hebrew letters and traditional warfare strategies from
the 12 tribes (and there is testimony to this by Yemenite Hachamim) ?

* ....besides the benefits of general martial arts training (improvement in
fitness, balance, self esteem, etc), in Abir/Qesheth, students grow in Torah
and emunah as well -- and that it has the haskamot of Gedolei Torah ?

* ...many foreign martial art systems are ring sports with showy acrobatics
(visually impressive, but often impractical in a real fight), and are often
dangerous to the body over years of training? Our fighting tradition
(lehavdil) is a true, real-life fighting system, teaching Jews how fight
"beShem HaShem" at the moment of truth when facing a vicious enemy -- and by
HaShem's blessing, it maintains the body rather than wearing it out. ("ABIR"
is of the same letters as "BARI" [healthy])

***Rather than send your son to train in the customs of idolatry, give him
the chance to transform into a öðåø (vessel) of HaShem's øöåï (Will)*** (an
Abir Torah concept)

Register him for the new Abir/Qesheth classes at Matnas Ramat Beit Shemesh
today: 02-991-0621
Demonstration at the Matnas this Thursday at 6:00pm -- the Public is
Invited!
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