Health and Nutrition
Rabbi Moshe David Valle: Ancient Jewish Wisdom for Health, Healing, and Emotional Well-Being
Timeless teachings on joy, diet, stress, and spiritual balance that promote a healthier mind and body
(Photo: shutterstock)Rabbi Moshe David Valle, the disciple of the Ramchal, was also a trained physician. In his work HaLikutim, he offers profound guidance on maintaining physical and emotional health.
1. A Joyful Spirit: The Foundation of Good Health
“Know that most illnesses come from a sick spirit, not from the body,” writes Rabbi Valle. “The body — being secondary, follows the spirit, which is primary, as it says in Mishlei: ‘A man’s spirit sustains him, but a broken spirit — who can bear?’”
He explains:
A person’s health and even the fat on their bones depend on the state of the heart.
If the heart receives its spiritual ‘light’ freely — without blockage from anxiety, fear, sadness, or bad news, the body becomes strong and healthy.
If the heart receives its spiritual nourishment in a restricted or constricted way, the body weakens and deteriorates.
As evidence, he cites the Talmud (Gittin) describing Emperor Vespasian:
When he heard good news — that he was to be crowned emperor, his leg expanded and no longer fit in his shoe.
When his enemy was brought before him, fear caused the leg to shrink.
Rabbi Valle concludes with the verse: “Above all, guard your heart, for from it flow the issues of life” (Mishlei 4:23).
2. Encouraging the Patient and Caring for the Soul
Given the spiritual source of most illness, Rabbi Valle teaches that a doctor’s primary responsibility is to uplift the patient’s spirit.
He explains this through biblical examples:
When Rachel struggled in childbirth, the midwife encouraged her: “Do not fear, for this one too is a son for you” (Bereishit).
Similarly, with the daughter-in-law of Eli the Priest, the women around her reassured her in her final moments: “Do not fear, for you have borne a son.”
The wise physician must therefore:
Investigate what troubles the patient.
If the concern relates to something permissible — permit it.
If it relates to something forbidden — divert their thoughts with comforting and uplifting words.
Above all: Greet the patient with a pleasant, cheerful countenance.
Rabbi Valle writes: “The wise and pious doctor should make the healing of the spirit his main focus — to strengthen, encourage, and gladden it until it expands and spreads throughout the body. Then his treatments will succeed so greatly that people will say they resemble miracles, and that God is with him.”
3. Eating in Moderation
Rabbi Valle adds a surprising medical insight: The human body can overcome most illnesses, if it is not overwhelmed by digestion.
Therefore:
One should reduce food intake during illness or when the body is fighting disease.
When the body is not preoccupied with heavy digestion, it can focus its energies on healing.
He writes: “The essence of physical healing is diet. When the natural forces are not busy with digesting abundant food, they can devote all their power to defeating illness.”
But he emphasizes again that health is primarily spiritual. He notes paradoxical cases:
Many people who drink wine excessively or eat heavily remain healthy because their heart is joyful, and a joyful spirit strengthens and repairs the body.
Conversely, people with broken spirits become ill quickly if they do not monitor their eating carefully.
Thus: “For those with broken hearts, healing depends more on the spirit than on the flesh.”
4. Torah Study for Illnesses Rooted in “Fire”
Rabbi Valle describes four spiritual origins of illness, corresponding to the four classical elements.
Illnesses caused by the element of “fire”:
Spiritual remedy: Study Torah diligently — “for Torah is water that extinguishes the fire.”
5. Strengthening Mitzvah Observance for Illnesses Rooted in “Water”
Illnesses caused by excess “water”:
Spiritual remedy: Warm oneself with mitzvah activity and no longer be lax in performing them.
6. Deepening Humility for Illnesses Rooted in “Wind”
Illnesses caused by excess “wind” (air):
Spiritual cause: Arrogance.
Spiritual remedy: Grow greatly in humility.
7. Overcoming Gluttony for Illnesses Rooted in “Earth”
Illnesses caused by excess “earth”:
Spiritual cause: Gluttony — especially from overeating or eating forbidden foods.
Spiritual remedy: Practice self-restraint and correct one's desires.
