Community Magazine July 2012

HEALTHY EATING The Rambam was not only one of the greatest Torah sages of all time, but also a renowned medical expert, serving as the personal physician to the Sultan Saladin in Egypt and composing numerous medical texts on a wide range of subjects. In fact, the Rambam allocates an entire chapter in his monumental halachic code, Mishneh Torah (Hilchot De’ot, chapter 4), to the subject of health, noting that maintaining health is a vital part of Torah observance. Before presenting his detailed guidelines for good health, the Rambam first discusses the general principles one should follow to maintain physical wellbeing. The two most important factors, he writes, are the quantity of food one consumes, and a proper exercise regimen, and the second most important are the quality of one’s food and waste management. In the Rambam’s view, most illnesses result from either overeating or the consumption of unhealthful food. He claims that this is at least part of King Shelomo’s intent when he writes in Mishle (21:23), “One who guards his tongue and mouth will prevent himself from pain.” One avoids physical pain by guarding his mouth against unhealthful or excessive food. Furthermore, the Rambam adds, one who does not exercise or properly remove bodily waste will feel frail and suffer pains, even if he eats properly. PREPARING THE BODY FOR A MEAL The Rambam also asserted that besides maintaining proper mealtime protocol, one should also prepare his body for a meal beforehand. He recommends exercising before a meal, or at least some light physical exertion such as walking. A hot shower, the Rambam writes, is also beneficial. One should ensure that his body has completely cooled before eating the meal. FOODS TO EAT, FOODS TO AVOID The Rambam lists several foods and categories of food that he recommends avoiding. These include: aged and salty cheese, fish and meat, mushrooms, and foods that have a foul odor or bitter taste. The Rambam describes these foods as “poison to the body.” Large fish and cheese may be eaten occasionally and in small amounts. The following foods may be eaten often but in small quantities: water fowl, dates, bread that is roasted/ kneaded in oil, white refined flour. Beans, lentils, chickpeas, onions, garlic, mustard and radishes should be eaten only in the winter. Squash may be eaten in small amounts in the summer months. Wine and honey are beneficial for the elderly, especially during the winter, but detrimental to the health of young people. The Rambam concludes by noting that those who curb their cravings and follow these restrictions for the sake of maintaining good health are “courageous.” BODILY WASTE One of the Rambam’s general principles of health is that one should use the restroom immediately upon feeling the need to do so. It is especially important to use the restroom before eating if needed. THE RIGHT WAY TO SLEEP The Rambam recommends waiting 3-4 hours after eating before going to sleep and should sleep eight hours every night, waking before sunrise. To further aid digestion, one should sleep on his side, rather than on his stomach or back, starting the night on the left side and then switching to the right side halfway through the night. A COMMUNAL HEALTH NETWORK Concluding this chapter, the Rambam lists ten services that a town must make available for its residents, which include – beside religious facilities, such as a synagogue, rabbinical court and schoolteacher – health facilities, such as a doctor, a bathhouse and clean drinking water. In his view, a community bears the responsibility to provide the basic framework for enabling its residents to live healthy lives. The Rambam writes, “As maintaining a complete, healthy body is among the ways of Gd, for it is impossible to understand or acquire any knowledge about the Creator when one is ill, one must distance himself from things that are detrimental to the body…” A healthy lifestyle is not just a good idea, but an outright religious obligation, a responsibility we owe not only to ourselves, but to our Creator, as well. Ancient Jewish Medicine Based on the teachings of Rambam Rabbi Daniel D. Levy EATING THE RIGHT AMOUNT IN THE RIGHT WAY THE RAMBAM LISTS THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR HEALTHY EATING: 1. One should eat only when he is hungry, and drink only when he is thirsty. 2. One should eat lighter foods before heavier foods, as this aids digestion. thus, for example, salads should be eaten before meat. 3. One should either sit in place or lean on the left side while eating. 4. One should stop eating when he feels ¾ full. 5. One should drink only small amounts during the meal; only after feeling that the food has digested – generally 1-2 hours after a meal – should one drink all the liquids he needs. 6. One should not travel after eating until the food has settled . TAMMUZ 5772 JULY 2012 95