The Spirit That Heals: Restoring Meaning and Dignity in the Face of Illness

In a previous article, we explored the deep connection between body and soul, as already noted in the verse from Proverbs (18:14): "The spirit of a person sustains them in illness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?" This verse implies that a person’s spirit and sense of hope are key tools in coping with illness, and their lack can be detrimental.

This week, we turn our attention to another aspect of how emotional well-being affects physical health. There are many documented cases of individuals who lived far beyond doctors’ expectations, with a common denominator among many of them: a strong sense of faith and a meaningful reason to live.

There is no doubt that faith, along with a value-driven purpose that justifies fighting for life, greatly improves a patient’s emotional state which also has a significant impact on physical well-being.

Further, in cases where medical staff consulted with patients even on minor, tactical decisions such as "What would you like to drink?", "When would be a good time for us to administer the treatment?", or "Which newspaper would you like to read?", there was a noticeable improvement in life expectancy.

Allowing a patient to make decisions regarding their life gives them a feeling of control, which leads to a sense of meaning and value. This reinforces the patient’s emotional resilience, which in turn leads to physical improvement.

Conversely, when staff disregard the preferences of patients, this amplifies feelings of helplessness, leading to discouragement, loss of meaning, and a subsequent deterioration in physical health.

Meaning can and should also be provided by helping the patient reconnect with meaningful aspects of life. It’s important for the patient to understand what is happening to them, to be actively involved in medical decisions, to maintain a routine as much as possible, and to engage in meaningful activities that add depth to life beyond mere survival.

The goal must be not simply to survive another day, but to grow, and reach beyond survival and into transformation. Hobbies, learning, and challenging activities do not exhaust the patient. On the contrary, they provide meaning and value to life. They allow the person to see themselves as more than their illness. The less limited a patient feels by their condition, the more they can believe in the possibility of recovery.

It is therefore crucial that a person finds something they can be proud of, even within the limitations imposed by illness. When emotional well-being is nurtured, it positively impacts physical health.

Patients must not focus solely on surviving, but on evolving. Not just how to get through another day, but how to fill each day with meaning, satisfaction, and dignity.

All of these ideas have the same core objective: to restore meaning to the patient’s life, strengthen their emotional resilience, and thereby increase their chances of recovery, as it is written: "The spirit of a person sustains them in illness…"

Reflection, Without Obsession

When a patient is confronted with a difficult diagnosis, it is advisable to minimize focus on the distant future and instead concentrate on positive thoughts in the present. Concern for what lies ahead can be beneficial when it is for the purpose of making responsible decisions- but when worry about the future becomes all-consuming, it can be harmful.

Likewise, it’s important to avoid guilt as much as possible. People facing serious illness often blame themselves for their condition, thinking maybe they harmed someone, or failed morally in some way.

Self-reflection and repentance are important values, and as Maimonides writes in Hilchot Teshuvah, one should never dismiss suffering as “random.” Specifically as one nears the end of life, introspection is crucial. And yet, self-punishment and refusal to forgive oneself can become emotionally draining, deplete energy, and even harm the recovery process.

The goal of soul-searching is "Return, O man, until you are brought low", meaning that one can return in repentance even until the last moments of life. The goal is to uplift and repair, not to despair or become demoralized.

Reflection should elevate the person’s spirit, give them hope, and help them identify the next step toward positive change.

One Day at a Time

Sometimes, a person must focus on the short term- on getting the most out of today.

Rabbi Gedaliah Eisemann zt”l explained a verse from Psalms: "Man and beast You save, O God", interpreted in the Talmud as referring to people who are wise, yet conduct themselves with simplicity like animals. Rabbi Gedaliah explained: a “man” uses wisdom and foresight, while a “beast” lives only in the present. But when the future looks overwhelmingly bleak, a person must act like a beast, focusing solely on the present moment. In that moment, living in the now is their spiritual task.

A Visit that Revives the Spirit

With this in mind, we can better understand the importance of visiting the sick. The word "visit" (bikur) means not only to stop by, but also to "inspect"- to check whether the patient lacks anything: a medication, trust in their doctor, or perhaps a second opinion.

The key goals of this mitzvah are:

• To identify what can be done to improve the patient’s condition, and

• To remind the patient that they are not alone.

Knowing that someone cares, gives the patient the courage to keep fighting.

The Shita Mekubetzet mentions that medical texts recommend preparing a sick person’s bed as if it were for a nobleman- this level of care can revive both body and spirit.

As the Talmud (Nedarim 40a) relates, Rabbi Akiva once visited a sick man, cleaned and organized his room, and remarked that someone who does not visit the sick is akin to spilling blood. Why? Because visiting, caring, and showing concern plant seeds of hope.