By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
There are certain events that take place that you will always remember where you were when the event occurred. One of those events was a phone-call that I received from a dear friend on a Sunday night in 5777.
I was in Crown Heights, for the “Chidon Sefer Hamitzvos”, and received the call from Rabbi Chaim Schneur Zalman Baras A”H.
In addition to being the main Mashpia in our Yeshiva, he was one of my closest friends since my youth. We have been in the same class in United Lubavitch Yeshiva (Ocean Parkway) since we were in kindergarten and attended the same camps. We also went on MIvtzoim together every friday, on our “route”, for many years. I picked up the phone and all he said was three words: “Shalosh Kelipos Hatmeios”.
Some background: For a while before, he had been experiencing some back pain and discomfort. After trying to change the position that he would sit and rest, to no avail, he went to the Dr. the previous Friday who told him to get some scans done at the local hospital. He was now calling me with results: They had (lo ALeinu) found “Yenne Machla” in his body. After two years of different treatments, and many Tefillos, he returned his pure Neshama to Hashem on 30 Adar 1 5779 (Today is his Yahrtzeit and may this article be L’Ilui NIshmaso).
It was during this saga, that I realized something: After over 10 years in Cincinnati, I didn’t even have a primary Doctor! I, like many young adults, was living in an illusion that annual visits to a doctor are for “old people” and that young people are guaranteed to be healthy and live well. Seeing first-hand what my friend was experiencing shattered my illusion.
When I finally found a proper doctor, another one of my previous illusions were shattered: I “found out” that the food that we eat has a tremendous effect on our long-term health.
As Bochurim, we tend to eat a lot of junk-food (snacks, Farbaisen by Farbrengens), drink sugar-filled Soda and energy drinks, and develop other very unhealthy habits (drinking or smoking etc). At that age, we don’t always see the results of these habits on our bodies right away. But when one gets a little older, our unhealthy habits put many of us at risk for obesity, diabetes and other diseases.
At a certain point, we – especially yungeleit – must realize that we have a “Chov Kadosh-sacred responsibility” to take care of our health. We have a responsibility to our families, communities and our Shlichus to do all we can to be in the best position to care for them. While in life there are no guarantees, we must do our part. The Rebbe often quotes the Rambam (Hilchos Deos 3:3 and 4:1): “Maintaining a healthy and sound body is among the ways of serving Hashem, for one cannot understand or have any knowledge of the Creator, if he is ill. Therefore, he must avoid that which harms the body and accustom himself to that which is healthful and helps the body become stronger.”
I would like to share a true story (that I heard from Makor Rishon) that took place this past 20 Av:
A group of Chassidim were at a Farbrengen with a very prominent Shliach who had turned 50 in recent years. This Shliach is relatively health conscious and is very active in his community. At the Farbrengen say a young member of Anash that did not have a beard. The Shliach was demanding of this yungerman to start growing his beard. The Yungerman looked at him and told him that if the Shliach agrees to get a Colonoscopy (a test for Yenne Machla that is recommended for all people above 50) he will grow his beard. The Shliach, who did not have any health concerns and was not planning on taking this test, agreed.
A few months ago, the test was performed and the results came back. The Dr. called the Shliach and told him that it is a miracle that he came in to take the test. They had “found something” in his body and if it would have been left untreated it could have developed into a life-threatening situation. B”H it was found and treated. In addition to seeing the power of a Chassidishe Farbrengen, we see the importance of being aware of the necessary health precautions and interventions that are needed.
This includes the importance of exercise. I have heard that in some Yeshivos, especially in Eretz Yisroel, the talmidim are not allowed to play outdoor activities by the breaks. I do not know the history, or the reasons behind it, but exercise is a very important aspect to health and a very good outlet for the youthful energy that our Tallmidim have. If the energy is not let out on the playing field, it usually gets let out on the walls and property of the Yeshiva.
May we only share in Simchas and merit ever-lasting health and life with the Hisgalus of the Rebbe MH”M Now!
Please feel free to share your thoughts on the above with me by sending me a personal email: [email protected]
and did you know that they are poisoning the food with pesticides and GMOS
Thank you Rabbi Avtzon for bringing this to the community’s attention. As a certified holistic health coach, student of functional nutrition, and founder of the first organic yeshiva lunch program in Crown Heights, I agree that it is crucial to take care of our bodies which house our souls.
A person doesn’t just “get yenne machla “ one day; it’s a long process of toxins manifesting in the body over a period of time
May we take care of our bodies and iyh see the end of illness especially with Moshiach revealed now!
Mrs. Chana Delfiner
[email protected]
thank you Chana you sound like a hero
I would like to see all the jewish places eating only organic all the time!
Do you have a website
Thank you Chana! This is very true ! Rarely discussed by western medical professionals during checkups
“A person doesn’t just “get yenne machla “ one day; it’s a long process of toxins manifesting in the body over a period of time”
This is not necessarily the case, you haven’t read the science. According to holistic medicine, some have a *predisposition* to cancer, and there needs to be an exciting cause to actually bring about cancer. An exciting cause can be a STRESS on the Physical level (survival / job / home) Mental / Emotional level, or the Spiritual level.
Yes, it’s all true what we are saying ; you are describing antecedents ( predisposition) and triggers ( exciting causes ) according to functional medicine.
Many people, especially children get cancer for reasons that are not known or predictable. Cancer has been around for millenia, as we live longer, more people get it, whereas previously people didn’t live long enough to get it.
The Emperor of All Maladies is an important book and documentary on cancer.
Lung cancer is often from smoking, but 20 percent of patients never touched a cigarette.
Not necessarily following Drs and their protocols.
Today’s Drs are not as use to be, unfortunately
Everyone will admit to three health principled:
1) at least process food as possible. (eat food in its original state without being processed through machines and then re-packaged. Even if it requires additional prep time.)
2) have some level of intermittent fasting. (like stop eating after 7 PM or something that works with youR schedule)
3) try to exercise on average a total three hours a week. (a good brisk walk it’s fine no need to overexert.)
And of course Daven!
Everyone will agree to three health principled:
1) consume the least process food as possible. (eat food in its original state without being processed through machines and then re-packaged. Even if it requires additional prep time.)
2) have some level of intermittent fasting. (like stop eating after 7 PM or something that works with youR schedule)
3) try to exercise on average a total three hours a week. (a good brisk walk it’s fine no need to overexert.)
And of course Daven!
That was the best advice from a menahel ever!
Physical activity also energizes the mind (for learning), enhances the mood ( avoda bisimcha) and strengthens the heart
(Ahavas Yisroel) .
It’s good to see yeshivas supporting and encouraging physical activities. I recall just 20 years ago, kinasim were given out if found playing basketball in the park during time off! How amazing the evolution has been.
Thank you for this writing I couldn’t agree more Unfortunately the schools, starting from preschool don’t serve healthy food to the children. Fish sticks with ketchup and rice and soup with msg is definitely damaging. And the kids act out as a result. Then the kids need all kinds of therapies to teach them how to regulate. All they need is healthy food and be outdoors a lot more. I’d love to see more health awareness starting with the young ones What about all the candies that go on in shul? And then they expect the kids to sit quietly?!… Read more »
I’d like to see all the junk food replaced with fruits and vegetables
Beef is much healthier than veggies
A real carcinogen !
Msg is actually not as un healthy as people think it is, yes it should not be eaten in large quantities but it is not that bad. The reason msg got such a bad rap is actually bc of racism in the 60s anti Asian scientists published about the “dangers” of msg but study’s today suggest how that was over blown. So let your kid eat a bissli he’ll be fine and maybe actually learn about something before you say how bad it is
The most important factor when it comes to health is diet. A person should only eat beef, lamb, bison , wild caught fish, eggs, raw dairy and organic fruit ( it’s called the animal based diet) avoid all wheat, seed oils, and processed food. Look up dr ken berry, dr anthony chaffe, and dr Paul saladino on YouTube for more information
Ps vegetables are not actually that good for you
what raw organic dairy brand is even also kosher? And cholov yisroel?
Has some. Ask at the counter.
Bethel farm has milk as yogurt. The cheese guy has cheese
do they ship to other states?
The “animal based diet” is obviously an extreme fad and has nothing to do with moderation or healthful eating. Please don’t present this anti-science as if it were based on proper research.
Yeshivas need to serve healthy food.
Yeshivas need to serve tasty food, not fancy. And Yeshivas need to serve ENOUGH food for all the bochrim.
We can’t expect bochrim to learn successfully if we’re not taking care of their basic need for food.
Please please make this change. It’s simply not acceptable.
should be a priority, except for the part about tasty
Fatty Red meat is the healthiest food , you can never have to much of it. it has lots of essential nutrients that can’t be found in any other food
I will assume that you’re joking. But it’s a joke that’s neither amusing nor helpful, because there are plenty of misinformed and gullible individuals who will think that you’re serious.
When will the yeshivas start providing healthy nutritios meals? (instead of fried, laden foods and loads of pastas)
this is the root of many problems
Very needed article
The recommendation today is 45 not 50
I’m appreciative that my children study at Ohlie Torah, the Rebbe’s school, and I appreciate the incredibly dedicated and professional staff.
However I do wish some of them would stop bribing and raffling the kids with all kinds of sodas slush candies etc that sets them up for bad habits and bad health as they get older. Healthy food is מדרכי ה’, and excessive sugar is שלש קליפות הטמאות
i’ve always been against bribing and gifting anyone with junk food especially kids
if everyone raised all their kids with no junk food we’d all be a lot better off in many ways
The guy at the farbrengen who was being pestered for beard, who converted negative energy into life saving positive energy, rises way above all else in this whole post (which has several noteworthy points [colonoscopy, eating healthy, exercise]). Someone choosing whether to sport a beard is between him and his creator. At a farbrengen talk about what you want to self-improve; not what others should do. This guy, on the receiving end of the type of ahavas yisroel of Rabbi Akiva’s students, chose to use the engagement to better the life of the antagonizer, showing true love, rather than anger… Read more »
Have you never heard of “kol Yisroel areivim zeh lazeh”? Or the mitzvah of reproving a fellow Jew? Yes, a farbrengen absolutely is the forum for urging others – and oneself too – to improve in avodah; it’s not just for fluffy stories.
Make fruit cheap again!
Prices are INSANE and the quality very very bad
No wonder literal junk food is that spread out and available everywhere!
Let’s get real: You can expect a family to just get fruit…
Of course better nutrition is … better. Are you willing, are you ABLE to pay the price of following a more healthful diet? I mean, literally, the price. When my children were little, there were times that supper consisted of salad (ice berg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, maybe onion) and rice (white). And milk. I was happy when I could include fish sticks — yes, those cheap ones with about an ounce of protein per stick. This was years ago. B’H, my children are grown, and everyone is B’H able to support themselves and feed THEIR children better than I was… Read more »
and a lot of organic food, money, and everything they need to be peaceful and healthy. May He bless all the jews with health!