From Shlomo's blog. He's so cool!

[theyellowhobbit]

http://www.allyourbeis.blogspot.com/

The story is told of Rav Soloveitchik that once someone asked him about the halachic acceptability of karate. Here is a paraphrase of the conversation that ensued.

Rav Soloveitchik: What is karate?
Questioner: It's a martial art where you learn how to fight people in a non-violent way.
RS: What could possibly be the problem with that?
Q: Well, before beginning a karate match you have to bow down to your opponent as a gesture of respect.
RS: That's stupid.
Q: I'm not asking whether it's stupid, I'm asking whether it's assur.
RS: It's assur to be stupid.

Comments

[kressel.livejournal.com]

LOL!

[prezzey.livejournal.com]

ROTFL!!

That's why one should do krav maga. But... krav maga teaches you how to fight people in an especially violent and messy way. So which one is better? Or, rather, which one is less bad? (Yay, optimality theory!)

[alanscottevil.livejournal.com]

The question's sort of stupid, yeah? :)

[levana-b.livejournal.com]

Is that an actual psak? Stupidness is assur. Because if it is, I am definitely calling people on it! Although I have a feeling it might be one of those things chucked aside in favor of, i dunno, extra chumras. Yes! Haha! Another issur that going l'chumra because it's l'chumra violates. The gemara in Eruvin explicitly says that always being machmir is stupid. Which, according to the Rav, is assur. You know, if A.A. makes me do the dvar torah at seudat shlishit, I may just use this.