ieszu
Member
This morning I got a major wake-up call. One of the major influences in my life, a Rabbi Irvin Chinn, passed away this morning.
You may ask why I bring this up on THR. I mean, why would a eulogy belong on a gun-forum???
Let me try and explain as best I could.
I have known Rabbi Chinn since I was in 9th grade. He guided me, taught me about life and shaped my world-view. After college, I studied under him for my own rabbinic ordination. When I passed the required tests, he told me that although I had the knowledge, I did not have the fire for inspiring people, and that another line of work might be better suited for me.
I came back to him a few months later, and mentioned going to gunsmithing school, and I wanted his opinion before I applied.
He gave his blessing, and mentioned that he thought it was an honorable profession, and that he was honored that I sought his opinion and advise.
When my father called him up to ask why I had such a crazy idea in his head, he answered very simply, "King David had sword makers and bow makers. This is merely the technological equivalent... If we have no fault with them back then, how could we have a fault with gunsmiths?"
My father thought about it, talked it over with my mother, and they gave their consent to my new chosen profession.
Whenever any of the liberal Jews in the community asked him how he could take such a position, he merely said, "One day you will need people like him, and you will forget that you once thought he was worse than a criminal."
He did more for changing people minds about firearms, and the practical uses they could have, than most RKBA activists I know of.
He constantly talked about the need for self-protection, and how if people took responsibility for their own actions, the world would be another few steps closer to perfection.
I had asked him to officiate at my wedding, but because of health reasons he had to decline. He passed away this morning, and the world will be a much poorer place without him.
You may ask why I bring this up on THR. I mean, why would a eulogy belong on a gun-forum???
Let me try and explain as best I could.
I have known Rabbi Chinn since I was in 9th grade. He guided me, taught me about life and shaped my world-view. After college, I studied under him for my own rabbinic ordination. When I passed the required tests, he told me that although I had the knowledge, I did not have the fire for inspiring people, and that another line of work might be better suited for me.
I came back to him a few months later, and mentioned going to gunsmithing school, and I wanted his opinion before I applied.
He gave his blessing, and mentioned that he thought it was an honorable profession, and that he was honored that I sought his opinion and advise.
When my father called him up to ask why I had such a crazy idea in his head, he answered very simply, "King David had sword makers and bow makers. This is merely the technological equivalent... If we have no fault with them back then, how could we have a fault with gunsmiths?"
My father thought about it, talked it over with my mother, and they gave their consent to my new chosen profession.
Whenever any of the liberal Jews in the community asked him how he could take such a position, he merely said, "One day you will need people like him, and you will forget that you once thought he was worse than a criminal."
He did more for changing people minds about firearms, and the practical uses they could have, than most RKBA activists I know of.
He constantly talked about the need for self-protection, and how if people took responsibility for their own actions, the world would be another few steps closer to perfection.
I had asked him to officiate at my wedding, but because of health reasons he had to decline. He passed away this morning, and the world will be a much poorer place without him.
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