A Chat with Dr. Roffman

How did the idea to write Coping with Adversity come about?

In the course of my cardiology practice, I found myself offering counsel and comfort to patients regarding a broad range of issues. Of course, these issues often directly involved their health. Sometimes though, their health is affected by interpersonal problems, the illness of a loved one, or work-related stress.

Beyond the specific medical advice and treatment I could offer, I frequently found that the counsel I suggested was based on Judaic teachings. This advice and comfort did not involve any devotional aspects of Judaism, but consisted of guidance and consolation extracted from scripture. I lamented the fact that there was no single reference available to help patients cope with these issues, and my wife (of all people!) basically challenged me to write one.

In general, what is Judaism’s approach to adversity and what are the personal responses and solutions that it provides?

Judaism offers and encourages a life-affirming view that challenges us to become God’s partner in helping to make this very imperfect world better. Further, that improvement begins with us and in how we react to the challenges we face each day. Rather than “blaming the victim” when life’s fortunes take a turn for the worse, Judaism instead points the way in answering the question, “What next?”

How will readers benefit from reading your book?

Readers will have a framework for approaching their struggles, and a compass that will lead them on a path to address their issues. For some of life’s misfortunes, there are no silver linings to the clouds. In these situations, Judaic teachings and readings offer comfort and support, ultimately giving the afflicted a renewed sense of purpose and relevance. In other circumstances, one door’s closing might lead to another door’s opening. Here, we must be prepared to walk through that open door. Judaism’s literature is replete with examples of people making the best of quite difficult situations.

In your profession as a cardiologist, is it possible to affect the health of your patients by discussing their fears and sources of stress, rather than simply by offering them medical advice?

In many people, a thin veneer of cheerfulness masks a whole host of issues that lie just beneath the surface. A physician has an opportunity to scratch that veneer ever so gently to see if these issues might be playing a role in a person’s illness and symptoms. But a physician isn’t alone in this regard. All who struggle can be helped by a friend who can effectively yet gently probe beyond the smile, provide a different perspective, and help heal the festering wounds that may not be readily apparent.

Each chapter begins by telling the story of a patient with a specific medical issue or concern. How do your concluding “ten commandments for coping with adversity” help patients come to terms with their struggles?

Each of the patients discussed in the book has different issues and sources of tension. Some of these issues are health-related while others involve family strife. Still others involve work and interpersonal matters. The chapters conclude with several key points, and it is those points that are boiled down to a final “ten commandments.” Each of the commandments applies to more than one of the chapters, and so in that sense they represent themes that run throughout the book.

Coping with Adversity presents Judaism’s perspective in dealing with many struggles we all face during the course of our lives. Is this perspective applicable to people of other faiths?

Theological principles that make Judaism distinct from other religions are not discussed in the book. The lessons that are taught do not presume that one adheres to any particular faith or to any faith at all. Indeed, Judaism teaches that one need not be Jewish to be considered “righteous.” Similarly, one need not be Jewish to take advantage of Judaism’s particular perspective on life’s struggles.

How did you and Rabbi Fuller come together to write this book?

I have known Rabbi Fuller for a long time. He is a bright and thoughtful man with a wealth of knowledge. It was quite obvious to me from the time I began writing the book that the project would benefit from someone with his background. I was delighted when he agreed to coauthor the book with me and am proud to have collaborated with him in writing this work.

How does the specific combination of medical expertise and rabbinic wisdom apply to issues of illness, aging, and interpersonal strife in helping people find peace and resolution in their struggles?

Many of the struggles we all face result from health-related issues; in other instances, our health and sense of well-being are affected by tension and stress from nonmedical concerns and problems. Rabbi Fuller and I offer complementary areas of expertise as we address a variety of situations. If our shared effort doesn’t fully succeed in helping people find “peace,” we at least hope that it will give readers a point from which to begin their journey in dealing with the issues they face.

The anecdotes in the book span virtually your entire life, including examples that range from sports to medical school. Explain.

In a sense, I suppose you might say that this book has taken my entire life to write. I feel very fortunate to have memories of such a wealth of experiences, as I have had an opportunity to learn and grow from so many of my life’s events. I feel especially fortunate to have been exposed to examples of the right way as well as the wrong way of coping with adversity. Sifting the positive from the negative, and incorporating this with Judaic teaching results, I hope, in a book that will provide comfort and inspiration to all its readers.