|
|
June 2, 2006
A healthy Jewish life
Book gives spiritual perspective on hot topics.
KELLEY KORBIN
What's Jewish about health and wellness? A lot actually, according
to a new book on the subject. The underlying principle of The
Hadassah Jewish Family Book of Health and Wellness (Wiley Books,
$44.99) is that Jews have a unique relationship with their health
because of their spiritual obligation to take care of their bodies,
which are merely "on loan to us" from God.
Editors Dr. Robin E. Berman, Arthur Kurzweil and Dale L. Mintz have
included more than 80 chapters on an assortment of health and lifestyle
issues, each written by different specialists and health organizations
and each with a Jewish perspective. The book is not intended to
be used as a resource for immediate medical advice or as an authority
of halachic opinion, but as an easy-to-read quick reference for
a Jewish angle on many health matters. Topics range from the controversial
to the banal, with a healthy dose of talmudic advice and old-fashioned
common sense thrown in for good measure. Most sections also include
at least one "from the sources" box, which provides relevant
quotations from sacred writings or commentators.
There is guidance on breast feeding (you don't need to cover the
mezuzot), davening (a form of Jewish meditation), visiting the ill
(there is no "right" thing to say, just being present
is what counts) and fasting for holidays (be sure you are well-hydrated
in advance), along with many other topics you might expect, like
heart disease and nutrition and others that might surprise you,
like whether smoking is kosher (the jury is out, but taking care
of your health is paramount).
To be sure, the book also tackles some very difficult issues and
gives insight into Jewish views on abortion, organ donation, genetic
testing and more. Sometimes the answers may not be what you expect.
Some of the most interesting comments are in the chapters on stem
cell research – a very controversial subject right now. The
authors conclude that stem cell research does not contravene Jewish
law if the cells used are harvested from adults or umbilical cord
tissue, not embryonic tissue. However, it may even be permissible
to use embryonic cells from "left over" embryos after
an in vitro fertilization procedure, as long as those cells are
not viable in the mother.
On this topic, because procreation and children are so paramount
in the Jewish religion, in the case of infertility it is generally
considered permissible to use in vitro fertilization or artificial
insemination to get pregnant. However, Orthodox rabbis disapprove
of using donor sperm in such procedures, as it could be considered
adultery.
There are also chapters on genetic disorders that affect Jews disproportionately,
like Tay Sachs, Gaucher's disease and Niemann-Pick disease. However,
these chapters are little more than a brief overview of the conditions
in question. This is in keeping with the rest of the book, which
really reads more like an encyclopedia, with snippets of advice
on numerous subjects, than a comprehensive guide on any specific
topic. Anyone who is seriously concerned about the risks and outcomes
associated with these diseases or other health issues would definitely
want to reference a more detailed resource.
The editors represent diverse Jewish practices, from traditional
to liberal, and it is obvious from the varying perspectives on certain
topics that the authors of each chapter also differ in their level
of observance. So, like most things Jewish, there is a range of
opinions on many topics covered in the book, which can be useful
but is sometimes repetitive and confusing for the reader trying
to find one clear answer about the Jewish perspective on a health-related
topic.
Kelley Korbin is a freelance writer living in West Vancouver.
^TOP
|
|
