In Judaism, the ethical obligation or mandate of preserving one's health is unparalleled by any other commandment in the Torah. This is illustrated by the fact that there are 613 commandments in the Torah that may all be desecrated (minus three: idolatry, murder, adultery) in order to save a life. It is thus plain to see how precious life is and that one must do everything in one's power to preserve and sustain it.

The Jewish Healing Tradition is written about in the Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Rabbinical responses (a compilation of thousands of question-answer letters), the works of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (also known as the Rambam or Maimonides) and the works of Reb Nachmen of Breslov. In this vast literature pertaining to health care ethics there is an emphasis on faith, joy, balance of the elements, practicing acts of loving-kindness, and harmony.

The emphasis on faith is not to say that one must rely on miracles when one is sick. On the contrary, one has the moral obligation to seek medical care when one is in need. As the saying goes, “G-d helps those who help themselves.” Instead, the emphasis on faith means knowing and accepting that everything happens for a reason. Even though the reason (for illness) may not be apparent, one must believe that in Olam Habbah, the world to come, the purpose of all things will be revealed.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said that “The basic cause of illness is unhappiness, and the great healer is joy.” Recent scientific research is just starting to support this claim. There are now documented cases of patients utilizing the healing power of the mind to influence the body into healthier states. For example, there is a documented case study on a cancer patient who loved Charlie Chaplin comedy. Upon receiving his diagnosis, he rented Charlie Chaplin movies and laughed himself into remission!

Another aspect of happiness includes seeking out the good in every situation and in every person. Granted that this idea is often easier said than done, it is an important one nonetheless. Our perception of the events that happen to us in our lives greatly affects the way we live and our attitude towards life. People who constantly feel victimized, for example, will never be happy. On the other hand, people who believe that everything that the Almighty does is for their benefit and growth, who persevere through challenging times with nobility and humility, will not only cultivate a relationship with the Creator that is profoundly intimate, but will also be happier in general.

Although we often hear about the concept of “balancing the elements” in relation to Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine, we must realize that our tradition also advocates balance and moderation. In fact, we have a specific check and balance system built into our religion. The concept of proper diet is a commandment in the Torah. The detailed laws of Kashrut serve not only as a sign of complete submission to the Divine will, but also to protect us from unnecessarily taxing our digestive system. For example, there may be no apparent justification for the layman to follow the commandment not to eat milk and meat together. A gastrointestinal specialist or biochemist, however, will be able to confirm that the enzyme necessary for breaking down milk, lactase, interferes with the enzyme necessary to break down meat products, thus causing the meat to rot in the stomach. Is this a coincidence? Or did someone who knows all the laws of the universe intervene?

Furthermore, the great physician, philosopher and Rabbi, Maimonides, teaches us that we should stop eating before our stomachs are full. Overeating and obesity cause numerous health problems (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many others) as documented by research studies.

In addition, diet, exercise, deep breathing, meditation and relaxation are all integral parts of the Jewish Healing Tradition. Author of The Wings of the Sun, Avraham Greenbaum, said in a lecture on Jewish healing, “One who does not exercise is setting up the body to get sick.” Exercise has been shown over and over again to have an inverse correlation to disease. The more people stay in shape, the less likely they are to develop an illness. People who maintain healthy bodies have stronger immune systems with a greater propensity to resist illness. This concept was clearly known to our great 12th century sage, Maimonides, who taught that prevention of illness is of paramount importance. He believed that “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.”

The practice of meditation or hitbodedut (self-seclusion) is not commonly heard of in mainstream Judaism. It is, nonetheless, a part and parcel of mystical and spiritual Judaism. It is practiced by modern day Kabbalists and is written about in the Zohar (The Book of Splendor). Recently, the late author and translator Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan wrote several books on the subject of Jewish Mysticism, including a book that guides the layperson through Jewish Meditation practices. The utilization of meditation in any tradition is a powerful tool that is also associated with healthy states of being. People who practice meditation on a regular basis are able to quiet the mind at will and bring heightened amounts of focus and concentration into their daily activities. Furthermore, meditation and breath-work exercises can be incorporated into a treatment plan (including diet and exercise) to decrease stress and enhance overall health and wellbeing.

Specific meditations may be customized to target various conditions or even to achieve certain health goals such as smoking-cessation (in which case a self-hypnosis meditation/visualization can be used). This allows people to consciously direct their thoughts and can bring them in touch with their inner voice. This is of utmost importance because in this day and age other people's voices are so loud that we often cannot hear what our inner voice is saying. By allowing time to stop and listen to the inner voice, people have the opportunity to bring clarity and insight into their lives.

It is written in Genesis that G-d “Breathed a breath of life into the nostrils of Adam.” From this passage we learn that life is connected to the breath. Thus it is understandable why a meditative practice such as deep breathing is practiced by both Western and Eastern mystical traditions alike. Normally, we are not conscious of our breathing—it is automatic or involuntary. By focusing on it, and controlling it in slow and rapid breathing techniques, we are directing energy into a part of our lives that is usually taken for granted. This practice may then be considered one of paying respect and expressing gratitude and appreciation to our Creator.

Relaxation is another important concept in health care and in Judaism. Many diseases today are so-called “stress-related illness.” The idea of Shabbat, a quiet day for rest and prayer is ingrained into the Jewish religion and those who practice it with intention must surely reap the benefits. Although meditation and relaxation are closely related, they are not in fact, the same thing. Meditation is concentration directed inward, while relaxation is a period of inactivity (physical and mental) used to refresh one's self. Each of them are important elements in Judaism and need to be incorporated into a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Another element for healthy living that must be kept in balance is the act of doing good deeds, or miztvot. Rabbi Greenbaum teaches that practicing acts of loving-kindness is comparable to making music. Just like music is governed by notes, so to one's physiological pulses are governed by rhythms (i.e. heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.). One's ‘musical notes’ are the little things that one does that contribute to who they are and what kind of constitution they have. One's individual melodies (pulses) are created by these deeds. The way one functions is therefore a result of what one does. People's pulses differ on many levels. The quality, feel, and energy of a pulse differ just as much as the actual pulse count. Rabbi Greenbaum teaches that healing comes from music and joy. The key, he says, is harmony.

Written by: Dr. Ahuva Gamliel