Health Rambam from the net Maimonides

Staying Healthy in Halacha

Moishe Dovid Lebovits

The topic of health is discussed at great length today in medical journals and other publications. This issue does not discuss medical advice, but the obligation to preserve our health in general and in certain instances based on the writings found in the Gemorah, Rishonim and Achronim. The Rambam in particular wrote a tremendous amount of material concerning health. We will quote some of his writings.

Food plays a major role in our lives. We enjoy three meals on Shabbos, Yom Tovincluding Melava Malka, Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, and kiddeishim. It can be difficult to maintain one's health if he is not careful about what he eats and how much he eats. One would never think of eating non-kosher food or eating on a fast day, but we do not seem to think that the Torah requires us to control our eating to preserve our health. In addition, when learning or studying we tend to stay in one position. It is clear from discussions in the Gemorah and halacha that in the earlier days Jews were very active. We will also discuss overeating and exercising.

Watching One's Health – Sources 

There are many sources in Torah literature which discuss the importance of preserving one's health.

The Rambam writes, "Keeping the body healthy and whole is part of the ways of Hashem, as it is impossible to understand the Will of Hashem if one is sick. Therefore, one has to be careful to distance himself from things which ruin the body. ^[1] He should only eat when he is hungry, only drink when he is thirsty, and not wait when he has to use the facilities." ^[2]

The Ritvah ^[3] says one should not eat any unhealthy food. The Chinuch ^[4] explains that one may not bring danger to himself because Hashem gave us a nefesh which resides within the body. To protect your nefesh, you are obligated to protect your body. The Be'er Hagolah ^[5] says Hashemcreated the world with kindness for the purpose of doing good to His creations. If one puts himself in danger, he is implying that he does not want the good that Hashem gave him. There is no greater apikores than such a person.

The Tur says, "It is a mitzvah to watch one's self to make sure he stays healthy in order to serve Hashem." ^[6]

"It Doesn't Matter What I Eat." 

Many people say that it does not make a difference what type of food they eat, as Hashem will ultimately decide how long they live. Therefore, it there is no need to choose healthy food. However, this is a wrong assumption. Although the Gemorah^[7] says that one does not hurt his hand without it being preordained from Hashem, one can bring pain onto himself even if Hashem did not prescribe it for him. This is illustrated by the Medrash ^[8]says that 99% of people die before their time is up, and only 1% die on time. It is obvious that it is possible to die before the proper time.

The Sefer Chassidim ^[9] says that a baal kas (angry person) has no life and dies before his time.

The Chovos Ha'levovos quotes ^[10] a Gemorah ^[11] that one should not stand in a place of danger and say a miracle will occur, because maybe it will not happen. If a miracle does happen then his merits will be decreased. This concept also applies to someone who is not careful about what he eats.

The Ma'aver Yabok ^[12] says that one who follows his desires is killing himself and he has to give a din and cheshbon on it.

Advice From Early Sources on Digestion and Overeating

We will discuss digestion (since most of ones health depends on this, see below) and overeating in halacha. The Rambam^[13] says a very important rule with a healthy body: "As long as one exercises (see below) does not eat a lot (see below) and he has soft bowel movements (he is not constipated) no sickness will come upon him and his strength will be great even if he eats bad foods."

Digestion

A study of the digestive system will bring one to instant yiras shomayim. The Rambam ^[14] and others ^[15] say that most of the health and sickness of the body are dependent on how one digests his food. One who does it in the proper way will be a healthy person, but one who does not do it right will be a weak person and can bring himself to danger. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch ^[16] says digestion is good if the food is easy to digest. ^[17] One should eat light foods before heavy foods. ^[18] A full stomach cannot digest the food properly, because it cannot grind the food properly. ^[19]

The beginning of the digestion process takes place in the mouth, as the teeth grind the food and mix it with saliva. Therefore, one should not swallow any food without chewing it first. ^[20] There are no mixing bowls in the stomach, so the stomach's job is much easier if one were to chew his food properly before swallowing it. Since chewing is so important, one should refrain from talking. Aside from the danger of choking, this also prevents proper chewing. Reading also distracts one from chewing. One should not place food on his fork while he is chewing, as he will swallow his food faster if he sees food ready on his fork to be eaten. ^[21]

In order to help the digestion, one should drink a little while eating. ^[22] The beginning of the digestion process takes about two hours, as the stomach produces certain enzymes that help break down the food. Too much fluid dilutes the enzymes, which makes digestion harder. ^[23]

One should be in a happy mood and not full of anger, fear and worry while eating. ^[24]

Overeating 

There is no need to quote studies on overeating. The fact is that many people are overweight because they overeat. The Rambam ^[25] says that most sicknesses come either because one does not eat the right foods or because one eats too much even if he eats good foods. Obesity is harmful to the body: it makes it lethargic, disturbs its functions, and hampers its movements. ^[26]

The negative effect of overeating can be understood with the following: If a washing machine has too much clothing in it the clothing will not be cleaned properly. So too, when one eats too much his stomach is too full and cannot properly break down the food. ^[27]

Rabbeinu Yonah ^[28] says that overeating causes harm.

One should eat until his stomach is a quarter full. ^[29] The Mishnah Berurah ^[30]says that one should eat good food which he needs for well-being, and not for pleasure. One should eat only to strengthen himself to serve Hashem. ^[31]

One is not allowed to eat like an animal and fill his stomach, and one may not recite an al hamichya after such eating. ^[32]

Exercising 

There are many studies about the benefits of exercise. It is very hard for a person who learns in Yeshiva all day, or for an office worker with a desk job, to walk around and do exercise. However, many doctors have said that the primary tool to prevent sickness is exercise.

Yaakov, who sat and learned Torah all day, ^[33] was still able to wrestle with an angel and win. ^[34] In addition, he was able to remove a large stone from the mouth of the well. ^[35] The youth of klal Yisroelserved in the army at the age of twenty. ^[36] Some people were experts in slinging stones. ^[37] There are other sources in Tananch which discuss certain exercises and their value (see footnote). ^[38]

Running

Running was valued as an important military asset. ^[39] A man from the shevetof Binyomin ran the long distance from Afek to Shiloh in one day to notify the Kohen about a certain matter. ^[40] Running was viewed as a form of exercise during the times of the Gemorah as well as for mundane purposes. Running as a form of exercise on Shabbos is not permitted. ^[41]However, running for non-exercise purposes is permitted. ^[42]

Walking

Walking as an exercise has been practiced by Jews from time immemorial. An average man was able to walk ten parsangs (about forty mil) in one day. ^[43]Walking on Shabbos is permitted because it is enjoyable. ^[44]

On Shabbos

Exercising on Shabbos (if it causes sweating) is not permitted. ^[45]

As mentioned above, the Rambam ^[46]says that if one exercises (and does not fill his stomach) he will not become sick and his strength will improve even if he eats bad foods. One who sits around and does not exercise, (or one who does not go to the facilities when he has to, or is constipated) will be sick all his life even if he eats good foods. The Rambam defines exercising as physical movement that alters respiration, resulting in deeper breathing and at a faster pace than usual. ^[47]

It would be wonderful if each Yeshiva had a room where the boys could exercise, be it either on a treadmill or a gym where they can play ball. This will not only help them be healthier, but it will help their learning as well.

Exercising Before Eating 

The best thing to do before eating is to exercise a little, ^[48] as the pasuk says b'zeyas apeicha and then tochal lechem. ^[49] First one sweats and then he eats his bread. However, this is not always practical.

Eating Before Exercising

One should not eat and then exercise, ^[50]because the food will not properly digest. One should wait at least two hours before exercising. The same rule applies to sleeping after eating. ^[51] The Rambam^[52] says one should walk a little before a meal in order to warm up the body.

Conclusion

We have presented many halachicsources on staying healthy. One should not take this issue lightly. One has an obligation to do what he can in order to live a long and healthy life on this world. Although many of us sit at desk all day or learn in a seat all day, one must still find time to exercise.