Dear Rosh Yeshiva,
Dear Rosh Yeshiva,
As we approach the end of the Jewish year, it’s a natural time for a cheshbon hanefesh. We look back at where we stand, what we accomplished, what needs improvement, and what goals we want to set for the coming year.
For a Rosh Yeshiva, that cheshbon obviously includes the spiritual growth of the talmidim. Are they growing in Torah? Are they developing in their tefillah and middos? Are they becoming stronger ovdei HaShem? Are we giving them the tools they need not only to succeed during their years in yeshiva, but to continue growing throughout their lives?
I would suggest adding one more question to that cheshbon: Are we doing enough to help our talmidim take care of their physical health?
A yeshiva invests tremendous time, energy, and resources into developing the whole person. Yet nutrition and exercise can sometimes become an afterthought. A talmid may spend many hours a day sitting and learning, sleep too little, eat whatever is easiest or available, and get very little physical activity. Over time, those habits can become the habits he carries with him into adulthood.
Taking care of our bodies is not separate from Avodas HaShem. The body is the vehicle through which we learn Torah, daven, perform mitzvos, raise families, work, and contribute to Klal Yisrael. A healthy body can give a person more energy to learn, greater ability to focus, and another healthy outlet for dealing with the pressures and stresses of life.
This does not mean that every talmid needs to become an athlete or spend an hour in the gym every day. Far from it. Even short, consistent periods of cardiovascular and resistance exercise can help establish a habit. The same is true with nutrition. We don't need perfection, but we can educate our young men about what they eat, what they drink, how much they move, and the importance of developing healthy habits while they are young.
And that is where I believe the yeshiva can have an enormous influence. What the yeshiva values, the talmidim learn to value.
If a Rosh Yeshiva talks about physical health, if the yeshiva provides opportunities to exercise, if healthier food and drink options are available, and if talmidim are encouraged to view taking care of themselves as part of becoming responsible ovdei HaShem, it sends a powerful message. We are not only preparing them for the next zman. We are helping prepare them for the next 50, 60, or 70 years of their lives.
As we prepare for a new year and think about all the ways we can help our talmidim grow, perhaps this is another area worth examining. Are our talmidim learning how to take care of the bodies HaShem has given them? Are we teaching them healthy habits in nutrition and exercise? And are we creating a culture within our yeshivos where physical health is seen as supporting, rather than competing with, their Avodas HaShem?
We spend tremendous time developing the minds and neshamas of our talmidim. Perhaps part of that responsibility is helping them develop healthy bodies that will, Be’ezras HaShem, allow them to use those minds and neshamas to their fullest for many years to come.
Wishing the Rosh Yeshiva, the entire yeshiva, and all of the talmidim a year filled with Torah, growth, health, and tremendous Siyata D’Shmaya.
Ksiva V’Chasima Tova,
Moshe Moskowitz
Founder and Rosh Trainer
Jump Into Shape
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