Arichas Yomim

"Study: Going to synagogue leads to longevity

By Ofri Ilani

Adults who attend synagogue regularly live longer than their peers who do not attend synagogue, according to a recently published study carried out by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem... Litwin said that there is no clear-cut explanation for the synagogue attendance effect, but there are two main possibilities: "One explanation is spiritual - that is, the individual faith factor. A series of studies that have been conducted in recent years, especially in the United States, argue that faith helps people deal with psychological pressure. People who believe and pray apparently survive longer." Another explanation is the connection between attending synagogue and belonging to a supportive community. According to Litwin, "in late old age, the main problem that many people have is the loss of one's social function. A person who goes to synagogue has a function: He is called to the Torah, and he has a network of social ties in the community." http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/895550.html For more along these lines... http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06094/679237-51.stm