עברית
Faith
Source of the Rambam's Expression Regarding Health
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I often see the quote from the Rambam "Reduce anger, decrease food, and increase movement" as an acronym for the word health. In which book is the source for this? Or what is the context and subject?
With blessing and thanks, Liron
Answer
Greetings,
Indeed, this saying is attributed to the Rambam. However, so far I have not found it in his writings. The matter itself, that a person should reduce his food intake to maintain health, is explained in the Rambam's words (Hilchot De'ot, Chapter 4, Halacha 2), where he writes that a person should not eat until his stomach is full but must eat less, about a quarter of his capacity. The concept of increasing movement is explained in the Rambam's words (same chapter, Halacha 14), where he states: "Another general principle said regarding the health of the body is that as long as a person exercises and toils much and is not full and his intestines are relaxed, no illness will afflict him, and his strength will be strengthened; even if he eats bad foods."
With blessing, Hillel Meirs
