No gods in Krav Maga
BY MOSHE KATZ 
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL

November 3, 2025, Israel

כִּ֣י אָדָ֔ם אֵ֥ין צַדִּ֖יק בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֶׂה־טּ֖וֹב וְלֹ֥א יֶחֱטָֽא: (קהלת פרק ז פסוק כ)

 "For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that does good, and never transgresses." Ecclesiastes 7:20

We believe that life is a process of seeking perfection, a constant struggle to improve. Our actions are what count, not so much our faith. The gate to heaven is paved with good deeds, not empty declarations of faith. As such there is no man who is seen as perfect, as infallible, that concept simply does not exist. And therefore, there is no man beyond questioning or criticism, no man is exempt from scrutiny. I recall many years ago, a friend Steve Jackson, was telling how he went to see one of the legendary rabbis of Israel, and asked some very pointed, challenging, questions. We were in awe, how could you speak to such a man in such a way? (not disrespectful but bold and honest). I will never forget Steves' answer, I speak to God every day, so why should I be afraid to speak to a man and challenge him?

And so it is, and so am I. 

There are many in the Krav Maga world who have committed the sin of idol worship. They have taken men, put them on a pedestal, and made gods out of them. That is why I used the small "g" in the title of this blog. In Judaism idol worship is prohibited. 

"You shalt have no other gods before Me."(Exodus, Chapter 20, verse 2) לֹ֣א־יִהְיֶֽ֥ה־לְךָ֛֩ אֱלֹהִ֥֨ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים עַל־פָּנַָֽ֗י (שמות פרק כ פסוק ב)

In modern times these words are interpreted to include the new "gods"; money, fame, power, worship of "Celebs", these all fall under the category of "false gods". In Krav Maga there must be no false gods, no idol worship.

Some of the Krav Maga "gods" include Holy Relics, techniques that cannot be questioned, as they were handed down from the early sages. Yes, this all sounds like religious beliefs, but this type of faith has no place in true Krav Maga. Every technique must be judged, criticized, questioned, challenged and only those that will keep us alive will be part of our system. There are no Holy Grails, there are no holy relics and there are no gods.

There are those in other styles, who look at me and say, Who are you to question these holy techniques passed down from our masters! and some will recite their lineage. I have only one interest, can it save your life? can it get ordinary people home safely?

In IKI we believe in questioning everything, "Trees that stood for a thousand years suddenly shall fall" (Robert Zimmerman). We shatter idols, we question and challenge everything. The technique must be,

Easy to Learn

Easy to Apply in diverse situations,

Easy to Remember

It must be based on simple Gross Motor Moves, it must be suitable for all. 

Let the others yell at us, but we shall worship no false gods. 

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Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.

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