Purim Post

THIS SPECIAL REPORT SPONSORED IN PART BY THE JEWISH EXERCISERS OF NORTH AMERICA.
FOR ALL THOSE EXERCISE LOVERS OUT THERE, ARTSCROLL HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED A NEW HEBREW-ENGLISH EDITION OF THE CONTEMORARY VIEWS ON THE TALUMUD TORONTONI, MESECHET EXERCISIM. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF OUR ALL-NEW WORK, WITH A NEW COMMENTARY ANTHOLOGIZED FROM TALMUDIC, MIDRASHIC AND RABBINIC WRITINGS. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LAWS OF PERFORMING SIT-UPS, AS PRESENTED IN THIS EDITION.
Before beginning, one should meditate on the mitzvah about to be performed. Ones who daven Nusach Ashkenaz should meditate facing east; all others may face any direction. Followers of the Arizal have the custom to meditate while turning arould slowly in a circle. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
Assume the sit-up position. Ashkenazim start in the ‘up’ position; Sefaradim start in the ‘down’ position. Followers of the Chabad movement traditionally start in the middle - half-up, half-down. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
At this point one should recite the blessing ‘who has commanded us regarding the performing of the sit-ups.’ The Pri Migadim states that one should recite the benediction ‘who has commanded us to perform the sit-ups.’ The Ben Ish Chai maintains that one should recite the benediction ‘who has commanded us regarding the performance of various exercises,’ in case one continues to perform other exercises after the performance of the sit-ups.
Followers of the Vilna Gaon maintain that one should recite the blessing before assuming the sit-up position, while still standing. The Mogen Avraham states that one should recite the benediction only after performing the first sit-up, in case one gets interrupted before beginning the sit-ups. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
Some have the custom to recite here a brief Kabbalistic meditation on the importance of the mitzvah about to be performed. For the text of this meditation, refer to the Artscroll supplementary publication, 1001 Mystical Meditations, Mosnion Press, 5765.
Brace feet. Most rabbis agree that it is preferable to have someone else brace your feet, thus involving another Jew in the mitzvah. (However, this does not let the feet-holder fulfill his obligation regarding sit-ups; nor does counting while another Jew does the sit-ups.) The Arizal dictates that it is preferable to brace feet under a piece of furniture, freeing oneself from distractions in order to concentrate on the essence of the mitzvah. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
In dire circumstances, it is permissible to perform the sit-ups without having one’s feet braced at all; however one should have in mind that he intends to perform the sit-ups with his feet correctly braced later, without invalidating the first or second set of sit-ups. He should also have in mind that the blessing recited is for both the first and the second set of sit-ups. (See the Talmud Torontoni Mesechet Exercisim page 613c.)
There are differing Rabbinical opinions on whether it is correct to recite the benediction ‘who has brought us to this season’ before or after doing the first sit-up. It is therefore preferable not to recite it at all. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
Most rabbinical authorities agree with the view that if one is doing sit-ups at a set time every day, one should perform the Nullifying of Vows procedure. This will ensure that the routine performance of sit-ups does not come to be viewed as a vow, thus one is not committing a sin if one discontinues or alters the procedure. Each person should follow the custom of their congregation.
For a full discussion of all of these laws and various customs regarding this and other types of exercise, please see the complete new Artscroll edition of Mesechet Exercisin.
PLEASE NOTE: In cases of dissagreement between congregants as to the custom of the congregation, it is permissable to determine the custom by engaging in unarmed combat.