T H E 11 T H C O M M A N D M E N T : D O N T B I T E OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW

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mutually dependent on each other [5]. Therefore, it is not enough to change eating habits and exercise habits, rather overweight people must change their mindset and self esteem for weight loss to come into full effect. Obesity puts people at high risk for developing many health problems. The main causes, although there are contributing genetic factors, are overeating and lack of exercise. The most notorious effect of obesity is a metabolic syndrome, more commonly known as diabesity, a syndrome which can cause infertility, stroke, cancers, and

nother holiday, another meal has become my mantra after nineteen years of being an Orthodox Jew. Growing up, not only did I have less time than the average student for physical activity due to lengthier school days in

my dual program, but every week I would find myself eating a Thanksgiving-size meal for Shabbat. Perhaps this commandment

to eat, coupled with the aforementioned lack of exercise, is a cause of the increasing rate of obesity in Orthodox Jewish children [2]. Even though it is a mitzvah to eat on Shabbat and special holidays, God intended for us to do it in a healthy manner. In spite of the apparent commandment to eat, Judaic thought is that our bodies are our temples, and people should take care of their health as an essential part of their lives. The media is saturated with messages that healthy is good and thin is beautiful, and moreover that thin is healthy. Yet this marketing message is an interesting contrast to the highest rate of obesity in Americas history. Dr. Henry Anhalt, director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and director of the Kids Weight Down Program at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, estimated that 90 percent of the population will be overweight by the year 2030 [2]. Obesity is becoming an epidemic, yet the whole thing is deeper than just finding the right diet [1]. There are many factors contributing to obesity, and each and every aspect needs to be addressed for effective weight loss. Staying healthy is more complicated than simply idolizing that marketing message. There are a vast array of diets and suggestions for weight loss, yet people are finding it not to be as simple as it sounds. The new Weight Watchers slogan, stop dieting, start living, is appropriate for the people of this generation. Many obese people have been on numerous crash diets, while the only effective way to lose the weight is to make a lifestyle change. This is accomplished by weight loss plans, such as Weight Watchers which was developed based on years of scientific research and analyses [4]. Personalized plans are created to meet an individuals specific needs, including recommendations of healthy foods to eat, acceptable ways to eat unhealthy foods, and individualized workout regiments. Weight Watchers agrees with what the Torah advises us in keeping the body healthy. Another aspect to weight loss is a persons mental well-being. In his book, Regiment of Health, the esteemed Rabbi and physician, Maimonides, relayed the concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body telling us that physical well-being and mental well-being are

Another aspect to weight loss is a persons mental well-being. In his book Regiment of Health, the esteemed Rabbi and physician, Maimonides, relayed the concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body, telling us that physical well-being and mental well-being are mutually dependent on each other.

high blood pressure [6]. The only way to treat or prevent this metabolic syndrome is a change in lifestyle habits. It is completely necessary to create a diet and exercise routine, advice everyone has heard or seen in the media, but has misinterpreted. The phrase diet and exercise either scares people into not committing to this lifestyle at all or promotes over-commitment. However, the Torah helps us balance and understand their meaning, as it warns us not to overeat, yet it in no way permits us to under-eat [6]. Similar to obesity, starving ourselves also falls under the category of not taking care of our bodies. We see the Jewish stance on obesity throughout the Tanach. There are various descriptions of overweight personalities in the

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Tanach and Talmud, such as Eglon the king of Moab, Rabbi Eleazar ben Simeon, the son of Rabbi Simeon bar Yochai, and other respected members of the Jewish nation. The Torahs view is seemingly explicit: gluttony is dangerousnot only to the spiritual well being of a person, but to his physical health, as well [6]. On Yom Kippur, perhaps one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, this issue of gluttony is brought up in our prayers, when we confess our sin of eating for absolutely no reason at all. Centuries before modern scientists came to the same conclusion, the Torah preached moderation and noted the problems caused by both physical and spiritual gluttony. God meant for us to enjoy this world, not drown ourselves in pleasures [6]. In the desert (Exodus 16:31-35), God provided the Jews with manna so that they could direct their efforts toward spirituality, rather than thinking about their next meal. The Jews took matters into their own hands, deciding they needed more than their allotted portion. They were punished for overindulging themselves, because they ate after already being satisfied, thus acting in a gluttonous manner. Poorly advertised aspects of proper nutrition are adequate chewing of the food we eat and the importance of proper dental hygiene. Limiting the intake of sweets can help prevent tooth decay, or dental caries. These areas of tooth decay are caused by bacteria in the oral

cavity metabolizing sugar and generating acids, which erode the teeth [3]. If the decay goes untreated, the bacterial infection may progress to the gums (gingivitis) and thereafter to the periodontal ligament that cements the tooth into the jaw (periodontitis) [3]. Caring about dental health is included in caring about overall physical health. Eating the right foods along with brushing and flossing will result in a healthy individual on all accounts. Maimonides wrote in his books about the effects of hygiene on physical health. When a self-indulgent Sultan complained of constipation, dejection, bad thoughts, and indigestion, Maimonides advised him to improve his diet and hygiene. In another chapter, he described necessary changes in lifestyle to cure these symptoms. These changes related to ...bathing, sex, wine, drinking, diet, and respiratory infections [5]. Maimonides, who lived in the 12th century, believed that diet and hygiene have major effects on physical health. This message is most relevant to the 21st century American. Health is a multi-dimensional juggling act between healthy living, healthy food, healthy thoughts, and healthy habits. The Torah aids us in achieving this balance by providing us with specific values promoting moderation. As each person becomes more aware of what is healthy for herself, she can lock these new habits into her lifestyle in harmony with the Torahs teachings.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my family for their guidance, love, and support. Additionally, thank you to Dr. Babich for taking time to edit this article.

REFERENCES: [1] Benjamin, R. (2006). Obesity: Deeper than Diet. AOJS Intercom. 26:3: 3-9. [2] DuBow, J.B. (2001). A Weighty Matter. The Jewish Week. May 18.. [3] Mader, S.S. (2006). Inquiry Into Life, 10th edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. [4] Our Approach To Weight Loss. http://www.weightwatchers.com/plan/apr/index.aspx (retrieved January 2008). [5] Rosner, F. M.D. (1994). Dentistry in the Bible, Talmud, and Writings of Moses Maimonides. Bullet. Hist. Dent.. 42:109-112. [6] Zwickler, D. (2005). We Eat To Live. Jewish Observer. 38:12-15.

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