By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO — Ahh, a book on “The Torah Path to Health, Fitness and a Holy Life.” Music to my ears. It was the Rambam who wrote, “Maintaining a healthy body is among the ways of serving Hashem, since it is impossible for one who is not healthy to understand or know anything of the Creator. Therefore, one must distance himself from things which harm the body and accustom oneself to the things that strengthen and make one healthy.”
And along come Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld and Dr. Daniel Grove, MD, with “Body & Soul,” a magnificently detailed book that is transformational in its 512 pages. Thanks to JSLI Press – Feldheim, Pub. ISBN 9781680259155, published earlier this month, it’s available here.
There is a worldwide epidemic of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and emotional turmoil. Our teachings have long asserted that we can prevent much of the disease that we face. The foundation for the Jewish stress on preventive medicine can be found by considering the verse in the Torah where Hashem is described as the rofeh — healer — of the Israelites:
And He said: “If you will diligently harken to the voice of the L-rd, your G-d, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon you which I put on the Egyptians; for I am the L-rd, your healer.” (Exodus 15:26)
Rashi’s commentary on this verse notes that this means, I am the L-rd, your healer, and I teach you the Torah and the commandments in order that you may be saved from these diseases – like a physician who says to a man: “Do not eat this thing lest it will bring you into danger from this illness.”
A Jewish young man was seeing a psychologist for an eating and sleeping disorder.
“I am so obsessed with my mother… As soon as I go to sleep, I start dreaming, and everyone in my dream turns into my mother. I wake up in such a state, all I can do is go downstairs and eat a piece of toast.”
The psychologist replies:
“What, just one piece of toast, for a big boy like you?”
A cute piece of humor but not so funny when you consider the implications on our health that practices such as this have on our children and their wellbeing.
What are the implications for modern medicine? Just as Hashem’s healing role in the above Torah verse is to prevent illness, so too a physician must emulate the Divine role by emphasizing the prevention of illness. For we are obligated to “follow in Hashem’s ways” (Deuteronomy 11:22; Sotah 14a). Respect your own body as the receptacle, messenger, and instrument of the spirit.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch tells us in The Nineteen Letters (1836), no. 11.
It is interesting to see how far back in our tradition concerns with our physical selves and the balancing of Torah and physical activity can be found. Already in the Talmud (Shabbat 82a), Rav Huna urges his son Rabbah to study with Rav Hisda. Rabbah resists, saying that Rav Hisda focuses only on secular matters: anatomy and hygiene. Rav Huna admonishes his son, saying, “He speaks of health matters, and you call that secular!”
Torah has answers for us in our search for optimal health, which I define as resting on the tripod of “ThEaMo” – Thinking well, Eating well and Moving well. As Rabbi Moshe Feinstein noted, matters of health and diet are best addressed through the lens of Torah. After all, aren’t our bodies receptacles of our souls? If we believe this, then let’s turn to what it says in Tehillim (119:105) “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” Keeping our health at its optimal level is a spiritual mandate in that it allows us to fully fulfill mitzvot.
This new holistic health book, based on a decade of research and collaboration with physicians, rabbis, and dietitians, will illuminate ancient wisdom covering more than 3,000 years and the most current evidence-based science in an understandable, easily applied manner, aimed at your health transformation. The valuable teachings within its pages in nutrition, exercise, weight loss, longevity and environmental toxins will surely equip anyone ready to apply these tools with a more vibrant, healthier, and balanced life.
Not quite ready? Still contemplating your ability to increase your healthspan? This book is motivational and will fill your fuel tank to help you take steps forward, perhaps even surprising yourself that you can accomplish key habits of a healthier life in an interconnected manner, bringing the physical, emotional, and spiritual elements of lifestyle medicine and wellbeing together, in a seamless manner.
As one who has worked in health transformation for five decades, I’m deeply impressed by the detail and smooth integration of Torah and contemporary medicine the authors so beautifully brought together. A look at our food challenges, the Torah view on exercise, even helping our children develop healthier eating habits, are all described in positive and helpful ways. Let’s not leave out another pillar of health described so well, our sleep, which also has Torah commentary.
With more than 60 major Torah teachings including remarkable insights on health from Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Rav Shlomo Wolbe, Rav Yisroel Salanter, Rav Shimshon Rafael Hirsch and Rav Avigdor Miller, to Misrash, Talmud, the Rambam, the Ravad, the Ramban, the Ramchal…this is a compelling, life-enhancing book that you will, no doubt, review again and again.
*
Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com