No Retirement
BY MOSHE KATZ 
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL

July 23, 2026, Israel

I recall when my dear grandfather Rabbi Isaac Klein, retired. He was a scholar, a rabbi, a pious man, born in a different place and a different era.  (see I remember Palanka) He truly embodied the Jewish concept of "Torah LeShma", you study Torah for its own sake, i.e. you study Torah not to earn a degree, not to get a job, not to secure a promotion, but simply "for its' own sake". For the sake of knowledge, of wisdom.

This is a difficult concept to explain. It is something embedded in our culture, in our religion. Study itself is considered a religious obligation. You study, if you understand - great, if you don't understand, that is OK, you continue to study. It is as if you are "on the clock", you get paid no matter what. When you study you are getting credit, and this is not related to how much you understand at the moment. 

Study itself is a virtue, and you are never graded, or tested. But there is an interesting side effect, you might say. Those who devote their lives to regular study, will eventually become educated, knowledgeable, wise, even if they are not the successful ones. In other words, two people sit and study a page of Talmud, or Biblical scripture, one is very clever, Kluger, very sharp, he "picks it up" right away, while the other is slower. Over the course of a lifetime, this habit of study will make the "slower" one also an educated man. 

And perhaps this is one of the so-called secrets to "Jewish success". Education, self-improvement, personal growth, is part of our culture, and it never ends. There is an entire network in every Jewish community for retired seniors, a series of lectures, daily Talmud study, study for all levels and all backgrounds. In fact, retirement is a time to increase one's level of study. As Tevya said in "Fiddler on the Roof", I would spend several hours every day sitting with wise men to study.

And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, several hours every day
And that would be the sweetest thing of all

To us study is sweet. When a young boy begins his study of the law, of the Torah, in many communities he is given candies, sweets, honey, to symbolize that study = sweetness. That is our culture, and our "secret". It is a lifelong pursuit of self-improvement. and Retirement is a time when we can devote more time to study, the time we lacked when we were busy trying to make a living.

Therefore, I find it odd when martial artists "retire". I hear this often, I am retiring, closing the school, perhaps moving away, and...canceling my Krav Maga membership. 

Now I understand that if one can no longer afford the membership. We can deal with that. No one is turned away for lack of money, that is how we work. but the idea of "I am retiring, so I no longer need my membership", what? 

What about yourself? You are still alive, and wish to remain so, you may have children or friends, who will still seek your advice and guidance in terms of how to defend themselves. Can you really afford to stop training? to stop growing?

Not in my worldview. In my worldview there is no retirement. You have a school, you don't have a school, it makes no difference. Growth, learning, self-improvment, never stops. As long as we breath, we grow. As long as we live, we contribute to society. 

MosheKatz2024

Moshe Katz, 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

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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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