Fast Draw Kapota

[Jim Watson]

Rabbi Raziel Cohen of Morris County, NJ, has designed a $550 kapota — the long jacket donned by married Hasidic men on Shabbat and holidays — meant to comfortably conceal a gun.

After he got married about two years ago and graduated to wearing a kapota, “I realized right away it was a problem,” said Cohen, 24, of the cumbersome garment, which is traditionally fashioned with buttons and a belt known as a gartel.

The issue: He couldn’t easily pull out the Glock 19 or Glock 17 he always wears during synagogue.

https://nypost.com/2021/10/09/nj-rabbi-designs-concealed-carry-coat-for-shabbat/

 

[GBExpat]

Good for him!

 

[kcofohio]

Tactical Rabbi!

That’s a sentiment that’s spread across the Jewish community after Boston rabbi was stabbed multiple times outside a Jewish day school in July and a teenage student was gunned down and killed was gunned down and killed outside his yeshiva in Denver in August.

“The danger increased. I’d like to be safe and be in control — I don’t want to be a victim,” said Aaron, a 20-something Hasidic New Yorker who asked The Post to withhold his last name for safety reasons. “It comes down to a matter of seconds. That’s not enough time to call for help or rely on someone else.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Good for him.

Somewhat related, after the Hanukkah attack in I think NY a couple of years ago, I saw a video where the leading rabbi of the Lithuanian-style orthodox, who is about 100 years old and lives in Israel, was told about the attack and asked whether synagogues should hire security guards. He said no. The follow-up question was whether the congregants should arm themselves with handguns, to which he said yes. (To clarify, the rabbi in the Post story is chassidic. Chassidim in general have been strong proponents of self-defense for some time, but the Lithuanian-style folks have been thought to be less avid. So the video caused quite a stir. Both groups are considered what is usually called "ultra-orthodox" in the secular press.)

 

[JCooperfan1911]

$550 eh? Pricey.

 

[edwardware]

$550 eh? Pricey.

A half a grand, for a concealed carry trenchcoat? And no Thompson?

This inflation's getting out of hand.

 

[357 Terms]

That headline!!

"Its a Schtick up"

 

[Archie]

Non-Orthodox pastors have been carrying sidearms for decades. One could easily conclude, possibly the practice has never stopped. No 'special' jacket or other clothing is needed, the typical clothing seems (to me at least) to be suitable. Here I confirm I do not wear a robe or other 'religious' clothing.

I do not see a religious worker of any other legitimate group to be prevented from carrying a defensive arm by law, tradition, or dress requirements. And I can see where a jacket or equivalent held closed (buttons, sash, belt or whatever) is not conducive to rapid presentation of a defensive weapon.

Adaptability and inventiveness are both praiseworthy.

 

[kcofohio]

$550 eh? Pricey.

I don't know much details on a kapota, but it would have to meet certain criteria to be acceptable. Not sure if it is by certain rabbis. So the clothing has different standards than you or I would wear. I'm doubt any would be made in China.

 

[kidneyboy]

$550 eh? Pricey.

Not pricey for a quality jacket.

 

[lemaymiami]

true story... Many years ago a young, fairly radical rabbi that I knew (he was associated with our police department) advocated carrying a concealed firearm - back when it was not the usual thing (well before the armed citizen movement here in Florida). He trained, practiced and began carrying at his house, which functioned as a place of worship. One day when his flock had gathered at his house they were robbed at gunpoint. Our rabbi, had his sidearm taken from him by the robbers from his holster... and so it goes in real life...

By the way I was lucky enough to work in a middle class town at the north end of Dade county in my years in policing. We were about as far north of Miami as you could get while still being in Dade county (1973 to 1995). When I started working there we had 13 synagogues... when I retired out there were only two.... and that's how it went back then. All of them were good solid folks but as crime rose in those years many of them migrated just north into Broward county. It was a serious loss to our city since they were just about all good solid citizens who cared about their city...

 

[GBExpat]

A bit somber, perhaps, but a good post, lemaymiami.

... and so it goes in real life...

 

[Waveski]

Another story of 2nd Amendment support - GOOD!!!

 

[MedWheeler]

Archie writes:

Adaptability and inventiveness are both praiseworthy.

I see what you did there..

 

[GRIZ22]

$550 eh? Pricey.

About the same as a Men's Warehouse suit.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Non-Orthodox pastors have been carrying sidearms for decades. One could easily conclude, possibly the practice has never stopped. No 'special' jacket or other clothing is needed, the typical clothing seems (to me at least) to be suitable. Here I confirm I do not wear a robe or other 'religious' clothing.

I do not see a religious worker of any other legitimate group to be prevented from carrying a defensive arm by law, tradition, or dress requirements. And I can see where a jacket or equivalent held closed (buttons, sash, belt or whatever) is not conducive to rapid presentation of a defensive weapon.

Adaptability and inventiveness are both praiseworthy.

In Jewish law, saving a life takes precedence over all the other laws. That's why we can carry a firearm on the Sabbath and shoot it if necessary to defend oneself or others, even though that violates the law not to kindle a flame on the Sabbath. Orthodox Jews in general consider the traditions of their specific "denomination" (this is the closest English word I can think of) the same as laws, so for a Chabad Chassid, not wearing a kapota on the Sabbath would be a non-starter. (Other Chassidic groups also wear a long jacket on the Sabbath but the materials and designs may differ.) The idea to use snaps instead of buttons is a great solution, the kapota still looks like a normal kapota but now the weapon is easily accessible.

 

[old lady new shooter]

$550 eh? Pricey.

Pretty sure a normal kapota costs about the same.

 

[Shurpok]

Rabbi Raziel Cohen of Morris County, NJ, has designed a $550 kapota — the long jacket donned by married Hasidic men on Shabbat and holidays — meant to comfortably conceal a gun.

After he got married about two years ago and graduated to wearing a kapota, “I realized right away it was a problem,” said Cohen, 24, of the cumbersome garment, which is traditionally fashioned with buttons and a belt known as a gartel.

The issue: He couldn’t easily pull out the Glock 19 or Glock 17 he always wears during synagogue.

https://nypost.com/2021/10/09/nj-rabbi-designs-concealed-carry-coat-for-shabbat/

Pretty sure a normal kapota costs about the same.

SammyDavis jr ( may he Rest In Peace) didn’t need no stinking glock! Although, now that I am thinking on it, he may have been Reformed, not Hasidic. He used a six shooter and could twirl and draw it pretty good. The gun sold recently for six figures. You can google Sammy and watch his performance. Save the money on the jacket and belt, and get a wheel gun. They never jam. What ever you wear when you carry, practice using your weapon just like you live everyday. If you must unsnap , unbutton, sweep back or otherwise move clothing to clear leather, practice that way. You aren’t going to practice this way on any “safe” commercial range so find an abandoned gravel pit or the like that the the owner won’t mind getting noisy. There’s a social media post of a armed church goer trying to stop a man with a shot gun in the sanctuary. He flubbed his draw and died for it. I don’t have any skin in this game, but there’s a for profit site called Self Defense University that analyzed what all the armed good guys did wrong that day that left one of them dead. There are lots of videos and training tools, but I can’t emphasize enough you need to practice. A few years ago, after I turned 70, I was requalifying on my “Barny Fife.” Not exactly because my security company that has been around over 90 years issues smith’s or Taurus 38s and Barney carried a colt, probably. The other guys from a different company were qualifying on the same range using a beretta 9mm, a 40 mag, a couple 45s and a glock 19 also in 9mm. My little old wheel gun shot their socks off. Since each string of fire is timed and the sounds were distinctive , it soon became obvious that the old dude on the left was starting first, finishing first and could not be scored cuz the 10 ring was shot out. They started trying faster and it only got worse, including the speed load drill. I finished 419 out of 420 when I went to one knee at the end for cover/concealed shoot, was off balance and threw one in the “9” ring. You bet I enjoyed giving them what for about not practicing and being 30-40 years older than each of them. Please please practice. You don’t have to act nervous to be aware of your surroundings, and if you aren’t willing to defend yourself, your family or the general public, don’t carry! I’ve never drawn from need and hope never to have to so you can’t be certain until it drops in the pot, but I think I know what I’ll try to accomplish if that time ever comes.

 

[herrwalther]

$550 eh? Pricey.

You should see what other Jewish ceremonial wear goes for. A tallit, which is basically a towel that goes over the head and shoulders, can easily cost $200 for ones made in Israel.

Our worship place is pretty casual by comparison. Most of us that do carry are just wearing kakis and a polo/dress shirt around a tuckable holster.

 

[Archie]

In Jewish law, saving a life takes precedence over all the other laws. That's why we can carry a firearm on the Sabbath and shoot it if necessary to defend oneself or others, even though that violates the law not to kindle a flame on the Sabbath. Orthodox Jews in general consider the traditions of their specific "denomination" (this is the closest English word I can think of) the same as laws, so for a Chabad Chassid, not wearing a kapota on the Sabbath would be a non-starter. (Other Chassidic groups also wear a long jacket on the Sabbath but the materials and designs may differ.) The idea to use snaps instead of buttons is a great solution, the kapota still looks like a normal kapota but now the weapon is easily accessible.

From the Jewish tradition, most Christians - clearly derived from Judaism - used to 'dress up' on Sunday for congregational worship. I still feel better when wearing a white shirt, tie, jacket and so forth. It doesn't make me any holier, but I do it to show reverence for my Lord. The Mosaic law expects and therefore encourages defense of self, family and home. Therefore I feel such position includes any reasonable means needed or available.
In reality, I do understand Jews have historically been the object of sneering if not outright hatred. To my horror, Christians - individuals, not New Testament teaching - have taken part at times. Jews of all shapes, sizes, 'denominations' (and I do know of the difference between 'orthodox', and other groups) deserve to be able to defend themselves, family, etc.

And I do appreciate anyone who can think and arrange existing items to fit a need.