Judaism, with its emphasis on life and the healing of the body, spirit, and world, offers us a profound and impactful approach to personal health. With its insistence on emphasizing the health of the mind and body, and viewing both as part of a greater whole, Judaism echoes the latest research of modern medicine and psychology regarding what constitutes the “good life.” While many traditions and philosophies offer a similar blueprint and formula to obtain good health, Judaism offers a unique perspective, emphasizing mindfulness, communal obligations and benefits, hope, a respect for science and medicine, an appreciation of the natural world and our health’s relation to it, a love for tradition, as well as a veneration for life itself.
Judaism in its many forms emphasizes practices and principles that promote a state of mindful awareness. Whether it be the daily routine or life cycle, Judaism acknowledges how necessary a condition of mindfulness is to our mental health and wellbeing. It is by elevating the mundane and promoting an appreciation of the unspectacular that Judaism allows us to practice gratitude and appreciate the improbability of our very existence, let alone our morning cup of coffee.
Judaism is a community endeavor, and to many this is the main attraction. We know that social support and community promote mental health and physical longevity. Judaism also promotes a sense of peoplehood, and as Am Yisrael we know that we can depend on the support of our fellow Jews the world over. Whether it be a local Jewish social services agency, or the knowledge that the State of Israel can provide a safe haven, Jews everywhere know that they can call on each other.
Judaism is an appreciation of hope and faith in the future, an acknowledgment that in the face of terrible odds, a small people can persevere. The historical experience of the Jewish people reminds us, on an individual level, that we can face nearly any struggle with dignity and courage. Whether it be a health concern or something unrelated, the memory of the strength of our ancestors can serve to give us comfort. Our attitude in the face of obstacles and challenges can absolutely serve to influence the outcome, and drawing upon the collective fortitude of the Jewish people is one way that we can build our resilience.
Judaism carries a deep appreciation and respect for science and medicine. Where in the modern age questions arise regarding human health and the natural world, we as Jews are able, and obligated, to look to the best medical and scientific authorities in the service of improving the world and preserving life. We as Jews need not live with cognitive dissonance regarding the use of technology to enhance our wellbeing. With an appropriate faith in the power of our modern scientific prowess to overcome disease and suffering, we reap the benefits of many more years of quality lifespan.
Judaism respects the natural world. Its many holidays and festivals celebrate nature and the agricultural cycle. Our tie to the rhythms of the land allows us as Jews to appreciate the complexity of our ecosystems and the fragility of our source of sustenance. Through modern interpretations of Jewish life such as the concept of Eco-Kashrut and the rising popularity of the Tu BiShvat festival, Jews continue to honor the source of our lives and all life on Earth. When the land is healthy, we are healthy. Jews have always been aware that what we put into our bodies, and the source of what we put into our bodies, have consequences.
Judaism teaches a love for tradition. While for many Jews tradition “gets a vote but not a veto,” it can also serve to ground us in the wisdom of the past and help us to recognize the path trodden before. Ecclesiastes teaches us that “there is nothing new under the sun,” and a recognition of this wisdom can help us to accept the things that we cannot change, as well as look to the past for a possible way forward. Living with respect and appreciation for our ancestors makes us more whole and serves as a source of meaning. In the face of our society’s epidemic of depression and anhedonia, the meaning provided by a deep set of roots can be enlivening. We know that better mental health can create better physical health, both for ourselves and for those around us.
Lastly, Judaism venerates life. The will to live, the will to improve the lives of others, and the will to seek a better tomorrow are all qualities that Jews are encouraged to partake in. The interplay of a healthy and vital planet with a healthy and vital humanity are key to good quality of life in our world. The primacy of life in the Jewish tradition, and the vitality of what life represents, can serve as a source of optimism and encouragement. When we come to view all life as sacred, we come to view our own lives and the lives of others as sacred and worthy of protection. Concepts like universal health coverage then seem far less foreign and imposing on us. When doubt ceases that any form of life is worth respecting and preserving, we create the conditions in which health can flourish. L’chaim!
Clearly, Judaism can make us healthier (and happier) people. While the above are only a small sampling of the ways in which the Jewish tradition can do so, the concepts are representative of important ancient principles that honor the primacy of holistic health and acknowledge our interconnected and interdependent nature. When we reject the wisdom of the past or run from the scientific and technological progress of the future, we lose the ability to walk the middle path, enjoying the benefits from both sides. Judaism realized this long ago, and those who find meaning from it in the present day are better off as a result.
Adam King Skrzynski, a Detroit native, is an infectious disease physician specializing in HIV medicine, a husband, and father of three daughters living in South Jersey outside of Philadelphia. He is a member of Congregation Kol Ami in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he serves on the Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Humanistic Judaism, and a Madrikh candidate with the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism. He is fascinated by the intersection of Judaism and medicine, and the potential for ancient Jewish principles of healing to be applied to modern medical practice. Adam can be reached at adam.king.skrzynski@gmail.com
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