08 Mar Passover; Mood Disorders, Addiction and Zinc

Passover Series

Those who observe the Laws of Pesach don’t eat leavened bread or cakes…chumatz.

People, especially those with mood disorders (bi polar, depression) or addictions may find that during Passover they feel a little ‘low’.  During Passover journey it was  the  enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt that created a spiritual  void. A void of ‘self’  (ego) was created within the people of the Exodus which then prepared them and allowed them to receive the Torah. The process of ‘lowliness – shiflut’ or ‘bitul-self nullification’ is a state of being where we divest  ourselves of  our ego (self).  We are more ready to ‘receive’ when we are in a state of humility. The ‘creating’ of a void is like the creating of a vacuum which allows us to then be filled with holiness. This is a principle of Torah as well as physics.

In the leavening process (of bread and cakes and other grain products) there are enzymes known as phytates. These enzymes aid in the extraction of Zinc from protein (meat) which is key to the production of testosterone.

Low testosterone can cause a  feeling of ‘ flatness or emptiness’   that may trigger an episode of bi polar, depressive behaviour or cravings.  Zinc supplements can help maintain a healthy level of testosterone to help manage those at risk. Zinc supplements can be gotten over the counter at any pharmacy or health food store. The daily recommended amount of Zinc may vary (may avg 8mg for woman and 11 mg for men; Mayo Clinic).  A person can take it leading up to and during Passover. Ask the pharmacist for directions.

What is quite interesting is that as our testosterone is lowered, it causes us to become more ‘lowly’ (ie nullified of our ego), and more receptive to receiving Torah, somewhat like our ancestors who left Egypt and those of us observing Pesach, the eating of matzoh’s and the absence of leavened.  Once a void (nullification, lowliness) has become created, it can now be filled with the Goodness of  G-ds Spiritual Light, a spiritual transformation and rectification  of our ego can take place at the source of spiritual and psychological illness

Once the process of creating a void in oneself has begun physically (in this case through self nullification of ego  from the ‘Passover diet’), it is then possible to rectify oneself spiritually and psychologically… and receive Torah.

Thanks to Rabbi Shmuel Veffer for his inspiring insights on this topic.

Have a Meaningful Pesach

Lawrence (Leib Getzel) Lax
Addictions and Counseling (Hnrs)
www.lawrencelax.com   
lawrenceJlax@gmail.com