Health through Torah Living

As Mishlei (Proverbs 3:17) tells us about the Torah, “Its ways are ways of pleasantness.” And while the Torah commands us to proactively protect our health through natural means (“Guard yourself exceedingly - Deuteronomy 4:9-10), we recognize that Torah living itself is the best guardian of our physical health. Its observance brings about spiritual and physical pleasantness.

What follows here is a very small sampling of Torah teachings that address the correspondence between spiritual and physical health. They serve as a reminder that all of our necessary labors in the way of health and safety are but a histadalus (reasonable effort) and that our welfare resides ultimately in the Almighty’s loving-kindness and our pursuit of spiritual health through Torah living.

Our bitachon (trust) in Hashem is a prime guardian of physical health in part due to the peace of mind it gives us. Rav Avigdor Miller z’l spoke often about the toxic effects of worry and stress and the benefits of simple living. He interpreted literally the Mishnah (Avos 1:7) “I have found nothing better for the body than silence.” Silence can refer to the absence of worrisome and neurotic self-talk in our own heads, talk which induces sickness in many a person. Such silence is good for the body, ie. good for preserving health.

Sampling of Torah on the Connection Between Physical and Spiritual Health

Guard yourself and guard your soul very much. (Deuteronomy 4:9-10)

R. Judah son of R. Hiyya remarked: Come and see how the dispensation of mortals is not like that of the Holy One, blessed be He. In the dispensation of mortals, when a man administers a drug to a fellow it may be beneficial to one limb but injurious to another, but with the Holy One, blessed be He, it is not so. He gave a Torah to Israel and it is a drug of life for all his body, as it is said: And healing to all his flesh. (Eruvin 54a*)

R. Joshua b. Levi stated: If a man is on a journey and has no company let him, occupy himself with the study of the Torah, since it is said in Scripture: For they shall be a chaplet of grace. If he feels pains in his head, let him engage in the study of the Torah, since it is said: For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head. If he feels pains in his throat let him engage in the study of the Torah, since it is said: And chains about thy neck. If he feels pains in his bowels, let him engage in the study of the Torah, since it is said: It shall be a healing to thy navel. If he feels pain in his bones, let him engage in the study of the Torah, since it is said: And marrow to thy bones. If he feels pain in all his body, let him engage in the study of the Torah, since it is said: And healing to all his flesh. (Eruvin 54a*)

Resh Lakish has said: The Holy One, blessed be He, does not smite Israel unless He has created for them a healing beforehand, as it says. “When I have healed Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered.” (Megillah 13b*)

The sages said in the name of Rav: it is forbidden to live in a city where there is no physician. (Jerusalem Talmud Kiddushin 4:12)

R Yose son of R. Bun said: it is forbidden to live in a city that does not have a vegetable garden. (Jerusalem Talmud, Kiddushin 4:12)

R Eleazar said: honor your physician even before you need him. (Jerusalem Talmud Taanis 3:6)

The best of physicians go to Gehennom. (Kiddushin 82a) Some commentators take this to mean that the best physicians attribute their success purely to their own abilities and fail to connect the true source of healing and medical knowledge to Hashem. This arrogance leads to their spiritual fall.

When a man suffers pain, he should visit a physician. (Baba Kama 46b)

Three things sap a man’s strength: worry, travel, and sin. (Gittin 70a)

Heal us Hashem and we will be healed. Save us and we will be saved for you are our praise. Grant complete healing for all our afflictions because you are the Almighty King, Who is a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are You Hashem, Healer of the sick of His nation Israel. (Shemoni Esrei, Siddur)

Physical health and well-being are part of the path to God, for it is impossible to understand or have any knowledge of the Creator when one is ill. Therefore one must avoid anything that may harm the body and one must develop healthful habits. (Rambam, Hilchos De'os 4:1)

Worrying that some particular thing should come about in this world is very improper….Such is not found in men with trust in Hashem. Worry hurts the heart and brings sickness to the body…. (Orchos HaTzadickim, Shaar HaDaagah, in Sefer Mitzvos HaBitachon 38)

Sorrow breaks, sadness unnerves, mourning consumes man; but cheerfulness of heart and joyful vivacity exalt, revive and strengthen man, and endow him with inner strength victoriously to brave the most crushing blows of external violence. (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Judaism Eternal, Vol. II, pp. 146-147)

Because to the Jew everything is religion, because the most painful change in his fortunes can but mean a new religious duty for him, and because he is ever passing from one religious experience to another, even the sorrows of life have lost their sting for him. He is beset by only one worry: the fear lest he fail to realize his duty in any situation in which he may find himself. This duty once recognized, he is serene and happy, and carries out with zest the duty which God demands of him. He is not disheartened because his powers are so insufficient, his understanding so limited, his scope so restricted. He stands where his God has placed him; the limits of his powers have been drawn by God. He stands at His service, delivers his work into His hands. His duty done, his daily task fulfilled, he is happy and content. The completion of his work is in any case in the hands of God. (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Judaism Eternal, Vol. II, pp. 149-150)

That is what makes Jewish life so full of happiness: “Shomer mitzvah lo yada davar rah - “He who keeps the commandments shall endure no evil thing.” (Ecclesiastes 8,5) He who conceives of his entire life as a Commandment knows no unhappiness and no evil. The word of God is unto him as the miraculous tree that sweetens the bitterest spring, as the miraculous staff that draws the water of life from the hardest rock, as the holy oil the dedicates and hallows all common, everyday things. (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Judaism Eternal, Vol. II, p. 149)

Do not say: If jealousy and lust and inordinate ambition and various other evils which are the product of living together in the world take man from his true task, I therefore wish to choose the exact opposite – namely, to renounce every bodily pleasure, flee from marriage, comfort and amenity and live a monk-like life. Even if you go upon that way, you are a sinner. Avoid only that which the law forbids. Use that which is permitted wisely for the strengthening and preservation of your body, so that it remains an efficient instrument for the fulfilling of your life’s mission. If you indulge in pleasure in this way, then your physical activities also become a service of God. But if your body is to remain a healthy instrument, avoid everything that might destroy it, and take up everything into your way of life which brings it health and strength. (Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb, 429)

The home is a prime source of disease. The family is one of the greatest sources of illness. Most heart attacks are occasioned not by a troublesome employee or customer or a business competitor, but by an altercation in the home. Anger, envy, anxiety, discouragement, resentment, hatred and sorrow bring actual physical suffering and serious illness….Most domestic difficulties are a result of the failure to follow the words: ‘I have found nothing better for the body than silence.’ (Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Career of Happiness, p.78)

The mother must frequently ask herself: What kind of home do I have? Is it a place that develops unhappy attitudes, resulting in sickness of the body and sickness of the soul, personal maladjustment, sadness, complaining and irritability? Or is it a sanctuary of cheerfulness, of liking everyone, where recrimination and useless nagging are never heard? (Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Career of Happiness, p.78)

Whatever is said of the wise mother is also true of the wise father, and even the wise child. (Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Career of Happiness, p. 67)

*Translation from Soncino Talmud

Suggested Reading on the Topics of Peace of Mind Through Balanced Torah Living and Health

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch

Judaism Eternal, Volume 2, Chapter IV: Jewish Serenity (pp. 145-154)

Horeb, 429, 459, 460, 428, 429

Rav Avigdor Miller

Career of Happiness, pp. 101-108

The Path of Life

Rejoice O’ Youth, 851-891

Rav Miller Speaks