Shmariya Richler
The Passover has passed, and spring has come to my hometown of Montreal.
With the start of the new Rambam cycle, those of you who are learning Chapter 3 a day will be learning Hilchos Deot this week. Those who study one chapter a day reach halfway through Iyar. As you know, Perek 4’s first two he-she Halachos discuss healthy living.
Before discussing Rambam, I would like to mention that the Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will be introducing a new course called Healthy and Holy. This is he a two-part course. The first section describes Torah sources of information for leading a healthy lifestyle. The second half is about nutrition and healthy eating. I am very excited about it and look forward to its official introduction in the coming weeks.
This course is designed for high school level students and is also available at Chabad Houses. A nutritionist has written a nutrition section outlining a moderate approach to healthy eating.
And now I’m going to get on the soapbox.
It’s time to start exercising and improving your diet. You don’t have to take drastic measures, follow diet fads, or become a marathon runner. Take the middle road, as Lambham says. please do not worry. You can have these blintzes and cheesecakes at Shavuos.
Those who are already exercising and eating healthy do “Mivtzoim”. Tell people what you did. inspire them. Don’t be humble about your accomplishments. You never know who to help.
In Perek, 4 Halachah 1, Rambam states: Get used to what helps your body get fit and strong. ”
Also in Halacha 2 he states: than that [he should stop when] He ate nearly three quarters of his satisfying meal. The rule is that he should be physically active and working up a sweat every morning. After that, you should rest for a while until you regain your composure. [then, he should] eat. “
We know that Rambam wrote Yad as a Halachos book. This means that his instructions are for everyone and can be achieved by everyone. More than that, as the Rebbe mentioned many times when Torah commanded the Mitzvah, it is not only achievable, but is also endowed with the power to achieve it.
Below is an excerpt from an article written about Rebbetzin Korf (wife of Reb Pinchas Korf) published a few months ago.
“Besides, I wrote to Rebbe that I was so busy with school extracurricular activities and programs that I was neglecting my health. He told me to go back to my teacher at Bais Yaakov and ask him to help me manage my schedule. He advised me.”
To those who say they don’t have time, I say this. Spending half an hour exercising gives him an extra hour of his day. It reduces fatigue and clears your head. That 30 minutes is not an expense. It is an investment that yields big dividends. Give it a try; you’ll see the results in no time. So get out there! Run, walk, ride a bike, move your body.
Eat better by cutting out junk food and sugary drinks (including sports drinks) and vitamin K (Kugel, Knishes, Kreplach, Karnatzel, Kishkeh, Kiddush Club, etc.).
According to Rambam, you should only eat 75% of what you are currently eating. This is because your brain feels full about 15-20 minutes after you finish eating. You think you’re hungry, but you’re not. When I mentioned this to a friend, he said he once got a real phone call (not a robocall) in the middle of a meal. The call lasted 15 minutes. When he returned to the table, he was no longer hungry.
When approaching the Pesach Sheni, remember that “Farfallen” does not exist. Whether it’s exercise or a healthy diet, age doesn’t matter. Start slow and be persistent. Results are displayed.
Have a healthy summer!
If you have any questions about starting a healthy living program, email me: [email protected]
