Last week I met K. a young man from New York, in his sixties. I am calling him young because he looked youthful and energetic. I asked him curiously if he was a regular exerciser to which he responded in the affirmative. I commented to him that I admire the fact that he is taking good care of the body G-d gave him.
K told me something I didn’t expect.
‘More than a decade ago I met a Rabbi S. He told me ‘You invest so much in your body that has a maximum lifetime of 120 years. What are you doing for your soul which lives for eternity?’
K. continued. ‘Since then, I undertook to become more involved in Jewish ‘soul-enhancing’ activities. I may not look your classic observant Jew, but I have not missed a day of Tefillin in ten years. Every day I study the Torah portion and Tanya with Rabbi Josh Gordon via the web’.
This week we marked the beginning of a new calendar year. Many people make good resolutions and utilize the opportunity to make a fresh start. Exercise is at the top of people’s list. 45% of respondents to a New Year survey said they would like to increase their exercise levels.
It is an admirable aspiration.
The Torah instructs us to view our bodies as ‘on loan’ from G-d.
Click here for article Is Your Body Yours?
Rambam teaches that a person should exert himself as part of a regimen of good health practices.
Exercise is important because with G-ds help it often enhances, preserves and prolongs your life span. Life is given to us by G-d and it is our job to do whatever we can to nurture and care for it.
Staying healthy is a mitzvah. It is a goal to aspire to. It shows our respect and gratitude for the gift of our bodies that Hashem has entrusted into our care.
A healthy body is important not because of itself. The Greeks worshiped the body for itself.
In the broader picture, a healthy body is not about the body. It is a means to fulfill our true purpose.
The Torah teaches us that we respect the body because it houses a soul which is the true definition of LIFE.
What is life truly about?
The Torah portion is about LIFE this week.
The name of our Parsha is Vayechi. The opening words are Vayechi Yaakov. Yaakov lived. Ironically, the Torah goes on to talk about Yaakov’s passing away.
This contradiction begs us to redefine the way we view life.
If life means being able to do ‘exercise’, Yaakov was no longer alive.
If life means being the vehicle for the Divine here on earth, Yaakov did not die.
Life in the truest sense of the world is about serving G-d here on earth through physical thoughts, speech and actions. Our souls get vivified, energized and elevated when we study Torah and do Mitzvahs.
Taking care of our soul is at the very heart and core of why we are here on earth.
Our souls cannot fulfil their mission of doing physical mitzvahs without the case and costume of the human body.
What is the truest definition of life?
Eternal life. Connection with the Almighty. This is authentic, classic and forever enduring life.
In that sense, Yaakov continues to be alive through his everlasting foundational contribution to the people of Israel (Israel is Yaakov’s interchangeable name).
True life does not diminish after the soul leaves the body.
In our forefather Yaakov’s case, we his progeny, who continue to live the way he taught us, ensure that he too continues to live.
So, my friend, have you ever asked yourself the question?
Are you paying enough attention to exercising your soul?
Is your investment in eternal life’ on par with your attention to your material life?
When in doubt, take on a mitzvah resolution.
Your life will be enhanced both physically and spiritually.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yosef Kantor