QUESTA: What should an overweight person do to get rid of his extra weight?
ANSWER: Extra weight, of course, is a chet and it comes usually from eating.
Therefore, the people of the house have to cooperate that they shouldn’t have on hand anything that’s superfluous.
I know it’s a difficult thing for the family but there shouldn’t be any cake in that house. There shouldn’t be any nuts in that house. Anything that can add weight, they should try to avoid. That’s number one.
Secondly, נדרים לפרישות סיג. Now this is very important, but you have to be careful with it. A person can make a neder every day; not a shevuah. Every day a neder. He knows he has a weakness for superfluous food. So, he makes a neder that “If I’m going to eat today between meals, I’ll have to give 50 dollars to tzedaka” – and then he chooses a yeshiva he doesn’t like.
If you’re Satmerer, “I’ll give 50 dollars to Lubavitch.” A Lubavitcher, “I’m going to give 50 dollars to Satmer.” And he should have to give it in the same week. No delay.
Only for one day. Don’t make a neder for a long time. One day at a time.
לפרישות סיג נדרים. It’s a big help, by the way. For one day you could afford to make a neder like that and you’ll hold yourself back. On the second day, you’ll have more courage. Try it again for one more day. Every day try it for one day. When you feel that the taaveh is already taking hold of you, so stop making a neder for one day. The next day make a neder again until finally you get into the habit of controlling yourself without a neder.
Reprinted from a recent email of Toras Avigdor, - (based on Tape #62 – May 1996)
