Judaism’s perspective on health and wellness

In Judaism, maintaining one’s health is considered a religious obligation, and a mitzvah (good deed) as your body is viewed as a vessel given by God and should be treated with respect.

This is supported in the article, “What Jewish Tradition Says About Health and Wellness,” by Rabbi Rick Schecter in ReformJudaism.org. He writes. “It’s a mitzvah (commandment) to be healthy and well. We could even go so far as to think of it as a foundational mitzvah. Our tradition calls it sh’mirat haguf – literally, guarding the body. In the book of Deuteronomy, we find the verse, “Guard yourself and guard your soul very carefully” (Deut. 4:9). Biblical commentators have understood this passage to be the religious imperative for taking care of both body and soul. As the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria put it, “The body is the soul’s house. Therefore, shouldn’t we take care of our house so that it doesn’t fall into ruin?”

He continues later in the article. “Judaism views the human body as a precious, wondrous gift from God that we are to protect and nurture. It is the home of the soul, the spark of God within us. Body and soul, so intimately interconnected, require care and attention, no matter our age.”

Here are seven practices for mental, spiritual and physical health:

Consume a healthy diet based on your body's specific needs.

Incorporate movement into your daily routine and engage in regular exercise.

Pay attention to sleep, bedtime routines and make them a priority.

Establish daily routines and set realistic goals.

Practice mindfulness and use positive affirmations.

Foster supportive relationships and ask for help when needed. Jewish teachings emphasize the importance of community and caring for others’ health: The principle of “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh La Zeh” (All Jews are responsible for one another) extends to mental health and overall well-being.

Use the model of Shabbat to rest and renew. Take time each week to rest, reflect, and recharge both physically and spiritually.

In Chabad.org, Sara Esther Crispe writes in her article “A Torah Approach to Anxiety Relief,” “There are numerous times in the Torah which speak of anxiety, but there is one important passage that teaches us some very practical ways of dealing with the anxiety in our lives…. for the typical bumps we encounter in our lives.” The statement is in Proverbs, which was written by King Solomon. It reads: “Anxiety in the heart of a person causes dejection, but a good word will turn it into joy.” The Hebrew for this is: Da’agah belev ish yashchenah, vedavar tov yesamchenah (Proverbs 12:25).

PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is an award-winning radio producer, business owner and leader. She has served on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence. Her “Positive Living with Patricia Raskin” podcast can be heard on voiceamerica.com.