211. Protecting One’s Vision

PLEASE NOTE: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch incorporated in his work what was the best available medical data of his day. We are presenting his thoughts on these matters without additional commentary. Please be sure to consult with your rabbi on matters of halacha and with your doctor on matters of health and well-being.

32:26 The best air for one’s health is neither too hot nor too cold. One should make sure not to heat his home too hot in winter as that would take things too far to the opposite extreme. Rather, one should heat it to a comfortable, moderate temperature.

32:27 It’s important to take care of one’s eyes. One should not strain his eyes by going suddenly from a dark place into bright light. Rather, one should transition gradually by letting a little light in and letting his eyes adjust. One should likewise try to transition into darkness. The world naturally reflects this in the way day and night come upon us gradually, which is reflected in the blessing “Hame’ir la’aretz,” that God lights the world and its people with mercy. A glare reflected by the sun is bad for one’s vision and one should avoid living in a house where all the windows face north because then all the light is glare. This would also be the case if all of one’s windows are on any one side of his home but a wall or some other obstacle blocks direct light and reflects glare in. One should avoid looking at small type or doing precision work by the light of twilight or noon, or by candle light. Too much whiteness is hard on the eyes–imagine how it would feel if the sky were white!–as is staring at fire. Smoke, fumes, dust, wind blowing into one’s eyes and too much crying are not good for the eyes. One might think that sexual activity is bad for the vision but since it’s a mitzvah (in its proper context), “The commandments of Hashem… give light to the eyes” (Psalms 19:9).