A wisdom of both body and soul
Maimonides — Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204) — was not only one of the greatest halachic authorities and Jewish philosophers, but also an exceptional physician. He served as the royal doctor of Egypt and wrote important medical works.
In his view, physical and emotional health are not two separate fields, but two sides of the same human completeness.
Maimonides saw the body as a vessel for serving G-d, and therefore said:
“Having a healthy and whole body is part of the ways of G-d.”
(Hilchot De’ot, Chapter 4)
In other words: caring for one’s health is not only a physical necessity, but also a spiritual and moral responsibility.
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Proper and Balanced Nutrition
Maimonides dedicated great attention to eating habits. In his opinion, food is a person’s primary medicine — if one eats properly, he will not need a doctor.
His principles:
- Don’t eat until completely full. Stop when you still feel slightly hungry.
- Eat simple, natural foods. vegetables, fruits, grains, a little meat — without excessive spices or fats.
- Avoid unnecessary or rushed eating. Calm, mindful eating enables good digestion and emotional well-being.
- Drink water in moderation. Avoid drinking during or immediately after meals, rather moderately.
In his view, good food gives energy rather than heavy, that calms the body rather than causing illness.
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Physical Activity
Maimonides stated clearly:
“As long as a person exercises and exerts himself and does not overeat — no illness will come upon him.”
Daily physical movement is, in his eyes, the key to health and longevity.
He didn’t speak about strenuous workouts, but about consistent daily movement — walking, physical work, maintaining flexibility.
A person who sits all day and doesn’t move, Maimonides wrote, “will suffer all his days.”
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Emotional and Mental Balance
Maimonides viewed the soul as inseparable from the body.
Therefore, he taught that many illnesses arise not only from unhealthy food but from emotional imbalance — anger, worry, jealousy, or fear.
He wrote:
“The health of the body and of the soul – are one.”
A central piece of his advice is to maintain a joyful spirit.
He recommended distancing oneself from sadness, avoiding excessive isolation, and living a life of giving, productive work, and meaning.
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Daily Routine and Healthy Habits
Maimonides saw in maintaining a stable routine a major key to health:
- Sleep at a consistent time (about eight hours a night).
- Wake up early and breathe fresh air.
- Avoid excessive rest.
- Maintain cleanliness of the body and clothing.
According to him, order and moderation keep the body in balance — while extreme habits lead to illness.
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Medicine as a Continuation of Moral Life
For Maimonides, medicine isn’t merely a science — it’s a moral mission.
A physician does not “repair a machine”; he helps a person return to harmony with himself and his surroundings.
He believed that the purpose of a healthy person is to be someone who can work, learn, do good for others, and live with faith.
Therefore, he said:
“A person should eat and drink only in order to live — not in order to indulge.”
The Spiritual Message
Maimonides did not separate body from soul, nor science from faith.
He saw health as a gift from the Creator, but also as a responsibility placed upon the person — to protect, nurture, and balance.
According to his approach, a person who lives properly — eating, breathing, thinking, and feeling in moderation — will find true serenity.
Summary
Maimonides’ teaching on health isn’t a diet or a list of medical rules — it is a worldview.
It teaches that the body is a sacred vessel, that the soul needs light, and human beings were created to live with tranquility, modesty, and joy.
When we care for our bodies — we honor life itself.
