Body Health

Contrary to the simple understanding of those who believe in divine providence, thinking that people usually die at a predetermined age, the Sages in the Jerusalem Talmud[1] and the Midrash[2] say regarding the timing of death that "Ninety-nine die due to negligence [because they neglected their health], and one by the hands of Heaven." This means that although each person is predestined from above before their birth with a certain number of years of life, as well as specific tools fitting their life trials (such as wealth or poverty, health or illness, beauty or ugliness, wisdom or foolishness, and all other circumstances), through the power of choice they can harm themselves, potentially shortening their lives. The Sages also reveal a startling detail: only one person out of a hundred actually dies at the age predetermined before birth, while all others were negligent (!) in taking care of their body's health, thus dying prematurely.

 

This revelation obligates each of us to learn the basic principles of health management and apply them to the best of our ability daily. For in the verses "Only guard yourself and greatly guard your soul"[3] and "Be very careful about your lives"[4], the instruction to preserve our soul to prolong its existence in our body[5] through adherence to health guidelines and environmental quality is included. This ensures we can achieve those additional years to continue shaping and building our personal and spiritual worlds.

 

Maintaining body health is achieved through attention and adherence to four main factors:

A. The quality of substances entering the body, from which the body is built and operates.

B. The amount of food intended to be digested by the body.

C. Cleaning the body of waste materials accumulated within it.

D. Physical effort through exercising all the body's muscles.

Fresh, clean air also contributes to health, while air polluted by cigarette smoke or emissions from vehicles and factory chimneys can cause irreversible harm and shorten a person's lifespan.

Additionally, a healthy mind full of joy of life is a necessary condition for keeping the body healthy and fresh. This important subject is given its own chapter in a dedicated book.[6]

In the following pages, we will expand on the details of each of the four essential basic rules for maintaining a healthy body, from the perspective of the natural efforts required of a person.