Where does the Torah mention fitness and health?

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Where does the Torah mention fitness and health?

by Rabbi Simcha Bart

Question: I was wondering what the Torah has to say about keeping fit and healthy. Is there a verse about this? Thanks a lot! Sheldon

Answer: Though it is not explicitly stated in the Torah, the Talmud derives this from Deuteronomy 4:15 "And you shall guard yourselves very well...".

Maimonides, in his magnum opus, states "The body being healthy is of the ways of the Lord, for it is impossible to understand or know the knowledge of the Creator while unwell. Therefore, one should keep away from things which destroy the body, and accustom oneself to healthy and curing matters..."

Here is what Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Abridged Code of Jewish Law) says (32:1): Since a healthy and fit body is required by G-d, one cannot understand or know any matters from the knowledge of the Creator if one is ill. Therefore, one must keep oneself away from things which damage the body and accustom oneself to things which heal and make the body well. Therefore, it is written (Yalkut Shimoni, Yitro): "And keep well your souls".

Note how good health is not an end in itself, rather a means to an end - to serve our Creator. Thus one must take care that one's pursuit of good health is not at the expense of serving G-d, rather a part of a complete program of following His directives in observing Torah and Mitzvahs.

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Mitzvot
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