[RBS] PUBLIC UPDATE ON ABIR/QESHETH HEBREW WARRIOR ARTS ®

[elinasplace]

"POSTING FOR A FRIEND"

PUBLIC UPDATE ON ABIR/QESHETH HEBREW WARRIOR ARTS ®

The opening for the Abir/Qesheth children's chug in RBS has been postponed indefinitely.  For more information or to be updated about my chug – namely my Abir classes in Yad Binyamin – contact us at abir4kids at gmail.com.    

Regarding Our Previous Announcement:

I became notified that several people took offense at my statement in regards to the identification of certain martial arts with idolatry.  This was my own personal zealous statement as a private Torah scholar, student and teacher of Abir – with no intention to speak on behalf of the Abir/Qesheth organization in this regard.  The policy of the Abir/Qesheth organization is not to mention any other style, but to speak about Abir only.

I hereby offer a personal public apology for making a statement that was not clarified properly.  I in no way intended to infer that those teaching or training in those martial arts are idolaters, or that they have any intention to sin or do wrong – Heaven forbid.  I certainly had no intention of slandering anyone, or hurting anyone's parnassah – Heaven forbid.  On the contrary:  I personally have genuine respect for those teaching and training the Jewish People in matters of self defense (which is part of `shemirath ha-Hayim' – guarding the gift of life), according to the only systems that are widely known to be available.  After all, the occult beliefs and symbolism within those martial arts are little known to the general public – much less the Torah world. 

I openly recognize that anyone is free according to the laws of the State to train in any martial arts of his or her choice.  My statement represents my personal halakhic opinion – one that is shared by Gedolei Torah (namely the Meilitzer Rebbe of Ashdod, the Admo"r of Biale Ostrova, and others).  I would be glad to share the sources proving this position with anyone on an individual basis (see the above email address).  Yet it remains an opinion that anyone is free to disagree with openly.  

My intention was to highlight the importance of giving children the opportunity to learn a pure, Jewish alternative whose kashruth is not doubtful.  It happens to be both a highly-effective, internationally-recognized and respected fighting art, as well as the precious massorah of a holy eidah in klal Yisrael, the Habbani Jews of Yemen.  Its grandmaster is a HaShem-fearing, Torah-observant Jew, and a known elder of the Ma`atuf-Dohh clan among the Habbanis.  

However, in respect to those I have offended, I will not be opening public Abir classes in RBS in the near future.  In the meantime I sincerely thank those who have been hoping and working with me to bring the chug to RBS. 

In apology,

Michael Shelomo Bar-Ron, Beth Midrash Ohel Moshe