New York – Exercise Not a Luxury, But a Necessity

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    file photoNew York – Some things just never change. When someone joins a weight-loss group, some people ask, “Can’t you just diet by yourself?” When someone sees a nutritionist, some people ask, “Can’t you just eat healthy?” The presumption of these questions is that a weight-loss group or a nutritionist just facilitate something you can do on your own. Of course a nutritionist would vehemently disagree. However, supposing they indeed only provided moral support in one’s quest to be healthy. Wouldn’t that suffice? It is an aspect of human nature that people often tend to be lax in issues relating to their health. Any possible advantage we can gain to overcome this should be implemented. This is nothing new. Even two thousand years ago, people needed extra encouragement to follow healthy practices.

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    The Gemara in Bava Metzia discusses what material possessions should be left with a debtor when collecting a loan. (There is a disagreement among the Rishonim as to the precise circumstances the Gemara is referring to.) A beraisa (113b) states that a debtor must be left with two beds. The Gemara questions why an individual needs two beds. The Gemara explains that one bed was used for eating (people used to recline while eating) and one bed was used for sleeping. Why was it necessary to have two beds? Couldn’t he use the same bed for eating and sleeping? The Gemara quotes a statement from Shmuel attesting to the fact that sleeping immediately after eating without even taking a walk of a few steps can be extremely detrimental to one’s health.

    Rashi explains that one positions the sleeping bed four amos (six to eight feet) from the bed on which he eats. This will ensure that he walks at least this far after eating before he goes to sleep. Yet seemingly the same question can still be raised. Why can’t the debtor use the same bed for eating and sleeping? To overcome the relevant health issue, the debtor should simply get up after eating, take a short walk, and return to the same bed to sleep. The creditor should have a right to take the extra bed. It’s not a necessity. It’s a luxury!

    The debtor would personally rather take a meaningful walk from one bed to the other, instead of simply encircling his only bed. That’s a personal preference! Rashi seems to answer this by saying, “This will condition him to get up and walk…” Of course you could always tell a person he needs to exercise. How many doctors have told their patients that they need to exercise? Yet how many actually do? (I try not to be too hypocritical in my articles. At least when it comes to exercise, I do follow some sort of regimen.)

    We could tell the debtor, “Don’t fall asleep! Get up and walk around!” Yet we all know that after a nice good meal, he most likely will be too sleepy to get up. After all, this is where he sleeps anyway. The next time he eats, he’ll be sure to walk around before sleeping. But it’s always the next time. The solution therefore is to leave the debtor with two beds. He’ll be forced to get up before sleeping (assuming he wants to sleep in the bed where he usually sleeps). Humans always need various ploys to get them to follow healthy habits. Chazal considered this particular ploy not a luxury, but a necessity.

    Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead and is an outreach professional at JEP of LI. He can be contacted at [email protected].


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    10 Comments
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    David
    David
    14 years ago

    Exercise now, Yidden . . .

    . . . so you will have active, vigorous life through your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 100’s . . . until Bias HaMoshiach!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    who says exercise is healthy , it depends – a few days ago there was a articall that said exercise is as adictive as heroin ! its a double edged sword. Yidden be carefull!!!

    Experienced Advice
    Experienced Advice
    14 years ago

    World famous Physical Therapist Louis Greenspan said that after treating thousands of patients, only those that exercised and took care of themselves live long, happy and healthy lives. He said even if you live longer you will be suffering from ailments, so its not a happy life. We all should learn from Mr. Greenspan”s words

    2thePoint
    2thePoint
    14 years ago

    Exercise is definitely important & necessary, I had the lap-banding surgery it didn’t help me loose a single lb. Without the proper exercise… Yidden stop adding mileage 2 ur butt on the couch & go Chap-a-Shpatzeer…

    moveit
    moveit
    14 years ago

    exercise is beneficial for your mind, body, and soul!!!!!!!! even taking a walk to the store, using the staircase instead of the elevator, parking your car at the other end of the parking lot is helpful!!!!!! making slight changes in leading a more active lifestyle will add more zest and “chias” to your life:)

    Experienced Advice
    Experienced Advice
    14 years ago

    World famous Physical Therapist Louis Greenspan said that after treating thousands of patients, only those that exercised and took care of themselves live long, happy and healthy lives. He said even if you live longer you will be suffering from ailments, so its not a happy life. We all should learn from Mr. Greenspan”s words

    A. Nuran
    A. Nuran
    14 years ago

    People don’t get nearly enough exercise. It can certainly be overdone as in the article #3 refers to. But for the overwhelming majority of people the problem is far too little healthy exercise rather than too much.

    Most of us live in cities, take cars or public transit, have jobs or school which keep us on our tochis all day and don’t have active outdoor hobbies. This is unhealthy and completely at odds with the way our Creator made us.

    Dr. Zacharowicz
    Dr. Zacharowicz
    14 years ago

    It is indisputable that most Westerners, including Americans, and certainly including orthodox Jews, could benefit from increased cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise. Why drive 3 blocks to shul? Why take the elevator? Add exercise to your daily routine. Follow the Rambam’s advice and realize that exercise is at the core of healthy living.