BW and the Weighty Issue

A cross post from the Notes blog. I was debating whether to post this or not. I figure I'd take the plunge)



Recently a certain blog hostess broached the topic of weight loss and exercise. Many BW are resistant to the idea of exercising. It seems though that many are now trying to get out of that trap.

A commentor raised a very important factor that was touched upon by the host; the psychological factor. Many BW, according to her, suffer obesity because due to unresolved issues of abuse in their past. Many other commentors confirmed this.

Quite often, when someone suffers through abuse, it closes their view of life. Mental constriction. Their view becomes more and more narrow in order to find relief from the abuser. Eventually the abused doesn't care about international news, local news, neighborhood news. They are just too busy trying to take care of the body. Some may even go as far as to give up on the body, but try to take care of the mind alone, or the neck up, or just a significant other.

(This reminds me of long ago, when cruel people came up with this phrase: "your mama!" This was meant to break any barriers that some one may have, any last resort safety zone and attack the person's significant other -the ultimate display of powerlessness on the part of the abused. They either have to fight of run away. Such cruelty...)

The blog hostess interjected and advised against a pity party. A typical reaction that usually leads to inaction in the end.

There is another dimension I'd like to explore here.

The spiritual dimension.

Long, long ago, I once saw a white man jogging along. Nothing too significant. His cheeks were pink from his efforts, his blond hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, his shirt had the tell tale v-shaped signs of sweat; his flabby shorts quivered in the wind as he pounded the pavement. I didn't think much of it.

A while later I saw him again. He had gone full circle around the block. Then it made me think of Joshua and his troops circling around Jericho. They circled around the city seven times and blew the shofar. With that, they conquered the city!

2 And the LORD said unto Joshua: 'See, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, even the mighty men of valour.

3 And ye shall compass the city, all the men of war, going about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear seven rams' horns before the ark; and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the horns.

5 And it shall be, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the horn, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him.' (Joshua 6:2-5)

There is something to be said about hitting the pavement. (But what about the out cry? The shofar's blow? And what about the Cohen priests? Well. the voice and sound can be replaced with prayer. There is a teaching, that -with zeal and a true effort to do good- even regular Jews and non Jews alike can rise to a high level!)

This reminds me of my beloved rabbi who took me in. Before he passed away he gave me this sound advice: "Go to this store, go to that store. visit people, go to synagogues. Don't stay at home, go around the neighborhood!"

Innocently, I followed his advice and in a short while many people got to know me. I was no longer the stranger in the neighborhood. When a newcomer came and saw the "strange BW" in the synagogue, there were plenty of people who could quickly dismiss the newcomers bewilderment saying, "Oh, she's part of the gang!" I had conquered the neighborhood! Please, don't think of conquering as vanquishing the enemy! lol.

This also reminds me of how Rebbe Nachman spoke highly about those who walked to him as oppose to taking a charriot. Indeed, there is something about moving the feet --not necessarily going from point A to point B. (Some say that holy and joyful dancing has the ability to cancel evil decrees)

BF have alot of the trait of Malkhut (kingship)and also that of Yesod (foundation, sexual purity, creativity; see here and here). Yesod is represented by the groin area. So, its only appropriate that they have tasks in this life that deals alot with Netzach and hod.

The right leg corresponds to Netzach. Things associated with Netzach are dominance, perseverance, determination. Indeed, there are so many issues dealing with dominating a field vs being intimidated and trying to appear "dumb" for approval, being an expert at something, leading.

The left leg corresponds to Hod. Things associated with Hod are humility, empathy and splendor. Indeed even there there are issues regarding pity party vs showing empathy to someone's suffering; splendor vs laziness, and arrogance vs humility.

Together the right leg and the left leg move in sinc. A powerful combination of dominance and consistancy with empathy and humility frictioning off of each other. Like this Malkhut is built. Yesod becomes potent and fulfills its task in the world.



But taking a practical look at what's going on and it looks like someone jogging, or walking or dancing in the physical world. Hopefully, this angle will inspire some BW out there to exercise, go jogging, or at least have a joyful and holy dance session!