Embracing Health and Renewal: The Role of Women in Iyar

The month of Iyar is a special time in the Jewish calendar that reminds us of healing and renewal. As we move from the celebration of Pesach, which marks the birth of the Jewish people, towards Shavuot, when we receive the Torah, Iyar provides us with a unique opportunity to focus on our health and wellbeing.

For women, this month serves as an important reminder of the vital role they play in nurturing their families and communities, particularly when it comes to health.

Iyar: The Month of Healing

The very name “Iyar” is an acronym for Ani Hashem Rofecha — “I am Hashem, your Healer.” 

This highlights the significance of the month as a time to heal and reflect. Just like the renewal that comes with spring, Iyar encourages us to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Women, often the primary caregivers in their families, have a special responsibility to prioritize their health. By doing so, they not only improve their own wellbeing but also set a positive example for their children and loved ones.

When women take their health seriously— it’s an act of Avodat Hashem. They create a healthier environment for everyone around them.

We cannot pour from an empty cup.

Iyar reminds us that every new beginning — big or small — has the potential to bring healing not only to ourselves, but to our families and communities. This emphasis on new beginnings resonates deeply with the significance of Rosh Chodesh, the celebration of the new moon, as highlighted in Tzofia’s article, “Why is Rosh Chodesh Attributed to Women?”

The new moon symbolizes a time of rebirth and potential, a theme that beautifully aligns with the spirit of growth and healing we embrace in Iyar. Just as Iyar offers us an opportunity for personal renewal and to shed old patterns, Rosh Chodesh marks the start of a new lunar cycle, traditionally observed with a special connection to women and their inherent capacity for creation and new beginnings.

A Journey from Slavery to Sovereignty

Just as the Jewish people journeyed from the slavery of Egypt to the revelation at Sinai, each of us journeys from old habits, limiting beliefs, and unhealthy patterns toward freedom and light.
This is the month to listen more deeply:

• What does my body truly need?
• What can I release that is weighing me down?

Health is not about extreme diets or deprivation —
It’s about listening, nourishing, and taking small, faithful steps forward.

Embracing Community and Second Chances

Iyar includes Pesach Sheni, a celebration of second chances.
No matter where you are on your health journey, there is always an open door to begin again — with gentleness and love.
Lag BaOmer, also in Iyar, highlights the importance of unity and respect.

Health is not a lonely journey; it’s meant to be shared.

• Cook wholesome Shabbat meals with family.
• Bring a healthy meal to a new mom.
• Walk with friends.
• Uplift one another.

Small acts of health ripple outward into our homes and communities.

As we enter the month of Iyar, we are given a beautiful opportunity—a divine reminder that healing, growth, and balance are within our reach. Iyar, nestled between the redemption of Pesach and the revelation of Shavuot, holds within it the power of transformation. It is a time when women, the heart of the Jewish home, are especially called to embrace personal renewal and wellbeing, aligning body, mind, and soul.

Mind-Body-Soul Alignment

True healing is not only physical.
The emotions we carry, the thoughts we think, and the ways we nourish our Neshama (soul) all impact our health.

Start considering creating simple daily habits:

• Begin the morning with gratitude and tefilah.
• Pause midday for deep breathing.
• End the evening with self-kindness.

Every moment of mindfulness strengthens your physical and spiritual resilience.

A Legacy of Health

When women walk the path of health with faith and gentleness, they create legacies.
Teaching children about balanced eating, joyful movement, and emotional awareness plants seeds for generations to come.
This is the spirit of Iyar — healing not just ourselves, but the future of Am Israel.

Food for Thought

Iyar is not just another month on the calendar; it is an invitation to revisit the full journey of healing: body, mind, and soul. 

Ask yourself:

What is one small step I can take to honour my health today?

 As women, the responsibility to take health seriously is significant. By recognizing this time for reflection and growth, women can create a positive impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. 

Let’s use this month as a reminder to prioritize health, find balance, and inspire others along the way.

This article was written by Dalia Brunschwig Certified Nutrition Health Coach, Founder of Fully in Balance. To learn more about her work, visit https://fullyinbalance.com/