Heart and Mouth Safety
[The Torah and mitzvos] are your life; they lengthen your days.
(Devarim 30:20)
Studies have established that there is a lesser incidence of heart attacks among Torah-observant Jews than there is among the general population. The International Journal of Cardiology explains this phenomenon: "It is possible that the strong belief in a Supreme Being and the role of prayer may in themselves be protective" (January, 1986).
A Jew's faith in Hashem reduces the stress and anxiety that come along with living in an extremely complex society, thus decreasing the incidence of stress-related heart ailments. This is a clear example of how a long, healthy life can be a fringe benefit of a person's faith in Hashem.
We are taught in the Talmud that we should not converse while eating or drinking so as not to endanger our lives (Taanis 5b). It's interesting to note that there have been a number of famous and infamous people throughout history, up to the present day, who have choked to death while eating.
The wind pipes and food pipes, abutting each other, each possess their own vital functions. Statistics show that one-sixth of all fatal accidents in the home are caused by food becoming lodged in the windpipe as a result of speaking while eating. Hence, the Gemara and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 170:1) teach us to avoid these dangers. The Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) adds, "Even if someone happens to sneeze during a meal, do not say to him 'to your health' while you are eating." The Mishnah Berurah adds that one should not even speak words of Torah with food in his mouth. Divrei Torah should only be said between courses.
There are many obvious safety precautions that are related to these teachings. Some examples are:
Make sure not to leave small objects, such as toy parts, balloons, rubber bands, pins, and beads, within a baby's reach. He can easily put these things into his mouth and choke or swallow them.
Keep certain foods away from young children. Taffy, nuts, raisins, popcorn, and sucking candies can easily be choked on.
Beware of small rattles, which have been known to cause choking deaths.
Insist that your children sit while eating, and never run, walk, or play with food in their mouths. This is especially important with hard candy and lollipops.
Be sure to cut food into small pieces for younger children, and supervise the food that older children give younger children.
It would be commendable to learn the Heimlich Maneuver, which has been publicized as a means of dislodging food caught in the windpipe. However, this technique serves as a possible remedy if one is in trouble, whereas not talking while chewing food is a preventative to avoid danger in the first place. We must be sure to learn, obey, and teach this important, life-preserving halachah.
