Good Blood Sugar
By Rabbi Raymond Beyda
Statistics show that the American people are overweight and out of shape.
Well, with all the talk and publicity surrounding exercise and health
supplements you would think the numbers are wrong. But -- fact is -- the
latest diet plan fad keeps popping up its head. There are juices and
proteins and carbs -- and lo-fat and no-fat -- and Hollywood and 5-day
and 7-day -- and people do try them all.
The more sensible weight loss plans suggest that one learn to eat
differently than the way they are used to eating. The plan usually
includes a scientific, physiological approach to eliminate hunger. If one
eats properly he or she may eat more than what they normally eat yet lose
weight anyway. The secret is to eliminate hunger.
The fuel of the body is blood sugar -- sucrose. Foods are broken down into
this potent energy source that and is then delivered to all parts of the
body via the blood system. When one lacks sucrose the body cries out for
energy by saying, "I am hungry -- get me some food!" If one takes a fast
fix like a sugary doughnut then the sucrose hits the body cells quickly
and the energy burns out quickly as your insulin brakes fight off the
sugar rush. No good! It is better to give the body a steady flow of food
that breaks down slowly and evenly into sucrose. This system fights hunger
and enables the dieter to eat healthy without becoming ravenous for the
wrong stuff. A lot in small healthy doses --that is the secret.
When a doctor prescribes a drug a person is instructed to take it at
evenly spaced intervals throughout the day. Taking all at once is not only
dangerous it is not going to make the person healthy. Small doses at
regular intervals will do the trick.
When one is working on one's spiritual health one usually puts off things
that do not seem big enough to make a difference. If I can't attend a 90-
minute class what good is a ten-minute session in a Humash or 5 minutes to
look up a Halakha? What good is holding back from one look at the
forbidden or holding back one word of Lashon Hara? Don't be fooled --you
need small doses throughout the day
Today, when you can't find a chunk of time to do a good deed or learn
something new -- stop. The health of your spirit depends on your "Torah
blood sugar". Small doses -- throughout the day. It only takes a minute to
have a spiritual snack but it will keep your levels where they should be
for good spiritual health day in day out.
DID YOU KNOW THAT
If one intentionally takes off his taleet with intention to put it on
again he need not say another blessing when he puts it back on -- so long
as it is within one half hour from the time he took it off. However,
should the time that it is off exceed 30 minutes -- then a new blessing
must be recited before the taleet is worn. [Source: Oserot Yosef, Siman
28:1]
CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE
The Gemara interprets the pasuk from the prophet Mikha, "Trust not in a
friend, do not put your confidence in a familiar friend" as a reference to
one's attitude towards the Evil Inclination. If the Evil Inclination says
to you: "Sin and Hashem will forgive you -- don't believe it for it
says 'Trust not in a friend."
When one is alone one might say: "Who will testify against me?" The Gemara
says: "The walls of your home will give testimony". [Hagigah] 16a
NOTE: The intent of this piece of Talmud is to teach us that all that is
done is accounted for and that nothing slips through the cracks. One
should be aware that ALL that one does --whether good or bad -- would be
dealt with in the Heavenly court.
Raymond J Beyda
www.raymondbeyda.com
Text Copyright © 2004 by Rabbi Raymond Beyda and Torah.org.
