Jewish Psychosomatics: The Connection Between the Legs and Spiritual Problems
Jewish Psychosomatics: The Connection Between the Legs and Spiritual Problems
Rebbe Rayatz gave instructions explaining that faith corresponds to the state of the legs.
It is stated in many places that tzedakah is the spiritual counterpart of the leg, as a part of the human body: monetary donations are one aspect of tzedakah, while the physical body is also tzedakah, since it serves to fulfill acts of ahavat Yisrael. Therefore, give tzedakah more generously, and G-d will multiply His blessings—in your spiritual life and especially in your material life.
If the problem is connected with the leg—that is, its physical counterpart and correspondence in the soul, the “leg” of the soul—faith and tzedakah—the following should be done:
Memorize the opening chapters of “Shaar HaYichud VeHaEmunah”, while also deepening your knowledge of the other chapters. Regardless of your financial circumstances, make every effort to give tzedakah.
Deepen your faith in G-d as well, so that the “Healer of all flesh and Worker of wonders” will send you complete healing and recovery, and that He will “perform a miracle,” completely transforming your condition.
For Jews, the physical and spiritual go hand in hand, and our Sages say: “All their wealth is at their feet.” (Devarim 11:6)
“Wealth” refers to “sustenance that keeps a person on his feet.” (Pesachim 119a)
And if you give more to charity, especially to institutions where students devote all their time to Torah study, this will become the “legs” on which the body of Israel stands. Everything that elevates a Jew’s spiritual life will undoubtedly improve his physical condition as well.
Pain in the legs may also hint at:
faith—called “regel” (leg), on which the entire Torah rests;
pride—as it is written: “Let not the foot of the arrogant come against me;”
possessions—it is said: “and all the wealth that is with them”—(at their feet)—meaning possessions that set a person on his feet;
evil speech—it is said: “who has not slandered (ragal) with his tongue;”
a wife—she too is called a “leg,” because the prosperity of her husband and the entire household rests upon her:
“He guards the feet of His pious ones”—this refers to a woman.
Yosef the tzadik prepared the foundation for the rectification of speech and the circumcision of the Jews in Egypt.
The full spelling of Yosef’s name has a gematria of 233, which equals the sum of the words מילה פסח “milah” (circumcision) plus “Pesach” and is written with the letters רגל “regel” (leg). This word appears here for a reason—it indicates that Yosef rectified Yaakov’s lameness, which had been caused by Esau’s angel. Rectifying the affliction of “regel” רגל leads to the sanctity of the three festivals (regalim): Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. (M. Glazerson, “The Secret of the Passover Haggadah”)
In Hebrew, “raglaim” (רגלים)—legs—is related to the words “hergel” (habit) and “regilim” (accustomed to).
Commenting on the verse: “And likewise, a soul without knowledge is not good, and one who is hasty with his feet stumbles...” (Mishlei 19:2) the Vilna Gaon explains: A person who performs mitzvot without understanding wearies his soul. The word for feet—“raglaim”—signifies acquiring good character traits: a person must acquire good qualities and habits, but this must be done gradually, so as not to stumble.
Segulot:
1. If your legs hurt, light candles in the synagogue (preferably by the wall next to the Aron Kodesh);
2. Contribute toward the synagogue’s lighting costs (electricity);
3. Recite Tehillim for healing of the legs: 119 (Kuf)—pain in the left leg;
Tehillim 142—for the lower legs or thighs (lumbago). (according to the treatise “Shimush Tehillim”)
(Compiled by the website from sacred Jewish sources)
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Tags: Segulot, Parts of the Body, Jewish Psychosomatics, The Connection Between the Feet and Spiritual Problems, Nogi, Tehillim 119 (Kuf), Jewish Psychosomatics: The Connection Between the Legs and Spiritual Issues, Segulot for Healing the Legs, Judaism on Feet
