The Art of Simplicity

The Art of Simplicity

Last Friday night I delivered the Torah message (or sermon) at the local House of Prayer (synagogue, using the Greek term). After services, one of my young Krav Maga students, Tzvi, a green belt, came up to me and said, "Moshe, I really enjoyed your talk tonight."

There was something very special about that, and it relates to Krav Maga and real life survival. Now it is always nice when someone tells me they enjoyed the talk, but coming from a child was extra special.

Most people get up and try to deliver some sort of fancy dissertation. The test we use for success is how many people are not snoozing by the end of the short talk; usually most of the congregation is fast asleep. People speak to impress, they like to quote many sources, refer to many books, and display their "vast knowledge." I see it differently.

If I have been giving the opportunity to speak then I would like to teach something, to enrich the listeners. The fact that a child understood, enjoyed, and appreciated the talk, means that my words were simple, straight forward, and to the point.

I am not trying to impress, but to impart.

The same is true of Krav Maga as compared to other martial arts. What is your goal? To impress everyone with fancy moves that others cannot duplicate? To dazzle them with your virtuoso and leave them spell bound? Or to give them some tools so they can come home to their loved ones in the same condition as they left?

So if it is simple enough for a child to understand then perhaps even the adults will get it too. Perhaps everyone will learn something useful. Remember, it is not you who count but your audience.