– Q. Dear Rabbi and friend. Our great Shulchan Aruch begins with the eternal words commanding us that “One should strengthen himself like a lion, to stand up in the morning to serve one’s Creator.” I truly wonder, is that not against common medical recommendation and warnings of our times, namely that one should be careful when getting up from sleep so not to stress one’s heart, specially for mature people?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that a lion has indeed seven names in Tanach, and they are: Aryeh, Ari, Kefir, Labih, Layish, Shachal, and Shachatz. The different names represent also different ages of the lion.

Therefore, one can still comply truly with the Shulchan Aruch and also follow as Halacha requires his personal medical advise, depending on his age and the lion that matches with him.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a