…we can seek out sources of purity that can help us grow spiritually…

If you ask people if their health is important to them, most will say yes. However, they probably would be thinking about their physical health. However, in addition to physical health, there is also financial health, spiritual health, and mental health, just to name a few.

Good health is important to have in all areas of your life. In this article, let's look at spiritual health to see what lessons we can learn from the Torah.

There are numerous mitzvot that teach us about tahor(ritually pure) and tamei(ritually impure). These mitzvot were important for B'ne Yisrael to know so that one would not approach the Mishkan, which was the most sacred space and place, in a state of impurity.

How are these mitzvot relevant to our modern lives? They can teach us important lessons about spiritual health and the importance of maintaining a pure soul.

Our spiritual health is just as important as our physical health, maybe even more so. While we may spend time and effort taking care of our bodies, we must not forget to take care of our souls as well. In the same way that we take measures to prevent physical illness, we must also take steps to prevent spiritual illness.

The Torah tells us one of the ways to prevent bad spiritual health is by avoiding impurities. In the Torah, impurities are often associated with death and decay. For example, contact with a dead body or a person with a skin disease would render a person tamei( ritually impure). This is because death and decay represent the opposite of life and growth.

Similarly, in our own lives, we must avoid things that bring us down or hold us back from growing spiritually. This could include negative influences, harmful habits, or toxic relationships. Just as we avoid physical illnesses by staying away from germs and viruses, we must also avoid spiritual illnesses by staying away from impurities.

We can also maintain spiritual health by seeking out sources of purity. In the Torah, water is often used as a symbol of purity. For example, a person who has become tamei can regain the status of tahor(purity) by immersion in a mikveh, a pool of running spring water. Water represents renewal and growth; it is as if the person who immerses themselves is renewed and refreshed.

In our own lives, we can seek out sources of purity that help us grow spiritually. This could include spending time in nature, practicing meditation or prayer, or engaging in acts of kindness and compassion. Just as we nourish our bodies with healthy food and exercise, we must also nourish our souls with spiritual practices that help us grow and develop.

We must also remember that spiritual health is not just about ourselves, but also about our relationships with others. The Torah tells us that if a person is in a state of tamei, they had to avoid contact with other people until they regained the status of tahor.

Likewise, in our own lives, our relationships and interactions with others can have a profound impact on our spiritual health. We can promote good spiritual health by building positive relationships and treating others with kindness and respect.

In conclusion, the mitzvot of tahor and tamei in the Torah, can teach us important lessons about spiritual health. We must avoid impurities that bring us down, seek out sources of purity that help us grow, and build positive relationships with those around us. By doing so, we can maintain a pure soul and live a spiritually fulfilling life.

May we all be blessed with good health, in all areas of our lives.