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June 21, 2002/Tamuz 11 5762, Vol. 54, No. 40
Until death do us eat
FLO ECKSTEIN
Publisher
Food. Culturally and religiously, in myth and reality, many of us are fixated with preparing and consuming food. Upholding our kosher dietary laws; celebrating our holidays; nurturing our children; entertaining our friends; reacting to the way we see ourselves in the mirror - we are obsessed with eating.
It's a particular issue for American Jews. In nearly every way, we are like our fellow citizens - when it comes to food, maybe more so. It's important, then, that we focus on a recent U.S. Surgeon General's report on obesity in America, which estimates that in 1999, 61 percent of U.S. adults and 13 percent of children and adolescents were overweight. It cites obesity as a key factor in 300,000 deaths annually.
Unfettered craving for a limitless supply of things to eat - fast, fresh, frozen, gourmet - creates a chronic crisis within individuals and among family members in which the losses outweigh the gains.
The quandary flies in the face of Jewish tradition. "Moderation of diet (is) a prerequisite for a healthy constitution," writes Abraham Cohen in "Everyman's Talmud." Moderation is hard to achieve, when we've been taught from early childhood to clean our plates, no matter how abundantly heaped or how full we feel. (A Perfect Portions Diet Dish being marketed to adults is compartmentalized like a baby's first self-feeding dish.)
Arthur Green, writing about kashrut in "These Are the Words," reiterates the rabbinic dictum that "the table is like an altar ... and the way in which food is prepared and consumed should reflect the commitment to a life of holiness." Yet how often do we gather as a family to unhurriedly savor a meal seasoned with meaningful conversation?
Even as we eat too much, we exercise too little, paying scant heed to a passage from Maimonides' "Mishnah Torah": "Since the body's good health and physical perfection are divine qualities ... therefore one must distance oneself from things that harm the body and conduct oneself in ways that lead to health."
In an effort to get us up and moving, "The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL's Guide to Everyday and Holiday Rituals & Blessings" devotes a chapter to prayers and meditations for those starting to work out. Consider this excerpt: "Each extra step on the treadmill ... each lift of the weights, each stress of muscles long out of use ... in each bead of sweat and panting I praise You."
Programs to address our physical health are emerging in Jewish communities across the nation. Our local Jewish schools and youth groups offer some sports. The Shalom Center at Temple Chai has educational programs for those concerned about eating behavior. The new Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale plans a variety of sports, fitness and health-club activities.
They're a start. The surgeon general's report outlines many more steps to take to commit to a full and healthy life for our families and our community. The report is available online at www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/.
See you at the gym.
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