Torah Thought on Health & Nutrition

Collective Responsibility

With the recent illnesses of many great Rabbis, we’re all asking the question: "What can we do to help?"  There are many fine and powerful steps people can take. Perhaps, this week’s parsha illuminates one idea that we’re all capable of fulfilling.

"ועבדתם את ד' אלקיכם וברך את לחמך ואת מימיך והסרתי מחלה מקרבך  - And You shall serve HaShem, your G-d, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove illness from your midst,”  (Shemos 23, 25).

This verse clearly connects our physical sustenance and health to spiritual service. The commentator, Kli Yakar, identifies an inconsistency in the verse which teaches a beautiful lesson.  It begins in the plural, ועבדתם (And you [plural] will serve), and continues in the singular, לחמך (your [singular] bread).

He explains that all Jews are responsible for one another and therefore each individual’s bread won’t be blessed until all Jews are serving HaShem in unity. Hence the usage of “serving” in the plural tense and “your bread” in the singular.

This fundamental idea can be applied in all areas of our lives, particularly – as the verse openly states – to our eating and wellbeing.  We all have the responsibility to educate and encourage each other in proper health care and nutrition.  We can’t turn a blind eye toward unhealthy practices, such as poor eating habits and lack of any physical exercise.
 

Of course we must do it in a manner that is enabling and positive, not preaching and condescending. The most effective approach, as we all know, is by example.

The significance we place on our healthy behavior with food and physical care leaves an indelible impression on our family and friends. With 70% of Americans overweight and 30% obese, the struggle with eating affects most people we know.

And as the Kli Yakar teaches, we are all responsible for one another – as well as our own healthy behavior with food and personal care. This is one act we can all take upon ourselves in the merit for a speedy recovery for the gedolim who are in need (as well as the rest of those sick among us). It’s a plain and painful lesson that our health is not to be taken lightly – for in an instant, things can drastically change (G-d forbid).

Tragically, many of us carry a rather cavalier and carefree attitude when it comes to our wellbeing. We don’t really internalize the need to eat properly and take appropriate care of our bodies. We’re too busy, or have other more important things to do. But do we?

Eighty schools across the country receive this newsletter, representing more than 25,000 students, teachers and faculty. Another 9,000 individuals get it via email every week. If the tens of thousands of people who are exposed to this message this Shabbos resolve to respect the body HaShem gave them by taking one action to improve their health for the sake of a refua shelaima for our esteemed Rabbis, it can’t help but make a positive impact – for ourselves, and for all of klal Yisroel. Good שבת.