Health

In the rich tapestry of Jewish teachings, the concept of health is a fundamental principle to Jewish living, beginning with the principle of shemirat haguf (guarding one’s body) outlined in the Torah:

Guard yourself and guard your soul very carefully.¹

When the Jewish people received the Torah 3,300 years ago, Moses powerfully addressed the people, saying:

You may not… in any way weaken your health or shorten your life. Only if the body is healthy is it an efficient instrument for the spirit’s activity. Therefore you should avoid everything which might possibly injure your health.²

In the 12th century, the famed Sephardic rabbi Maimonides, also known as Rambam, commented on this Deuteronomy verse, writing:

Bodily health and wellbeing are part of the path to God, for it is impossible to understand or have any knowledge of the Creator when one is sick. Therefore one must avoid anything that may harm the body and one must cultivate healthful habits.³

Judaism therefore teaches that safeguarding our health is not just a personal responsibility but a divine command. The rabbis have long instructed us to prioritize our health even over certain mitzvot, such as fasting on Yom Kippur, if observing them would compromise our well-being.

In the 19th century Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch further expanded on the principle that only a healthy body can serve as an efficient instrument for spiritual activity:

You may not … in any way weaken your health or shorten your life. Only if the body is healthy is it an efficient instrument for the spirit’s activity. Therefore you should avoid everything which might possibly injure your health.⁴

This ancient wisdom is reinforced by contemporary scientific research, which consistently links the consumption of animal products to numerous health risks, including the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases.

Other health risks and diseases associated with animal products include: high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma, atherosclerosis, aneurysms, rheumatoid arthritis, impotence, endometriosis, gallstones, gout, and Alzheimer’s.

Kaiser Permanente, the largest managed-care organization in the US, has advised its thousands of doctors that good health may be “best achieved through a plant-based diet … that discourages meats, dairy products and eggs. Physicians should consider recommending a plant-based diet to all their patients.”

Recognizing the profound connection between diet, health, and spiritual fulfillment, Jewish Vegan Life is committed to supporting our community in transitioning to and maintaining a vegan lifestyle. We invite you to learn with us, to explore delicious recipes, nutritional guidance, and scientific findings that outline the benefits of veganism.

As we navigate the path of health and spirituality, we should draw inspiration from the intersection of our rich heritage and modern scientific research. To honor our bodies, our spirit, and the world around us, we should celebrate the transformative power of veganism, making healthful living a cornerstone of Jewish practice. Together, let’s choose life!