Page 15 - Pharmacy History 31 Mar 2007

Jewish health and healing
in Bible times
Joanne Grieve
School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand
The Jewish people of the Bible had a unique culture and lifestyle. While their Egyptian neighbours developed medicine mixed with magic, religion and rationalism, the Jews followed the law of Moses to ensure good health and
used prayer when sick. This article examines historical Jewish attitudes to health and healing, and describes medicines found in the Bible and Josephus.
The Torah (first five books of the Bible)
JTewish view of health
he Jewish people used the first five books of the Bible1 (recorded by Moses between
1446-1406 B.C.) as a handbook for life in following the God of Israel.
While the Greeks compartmentalised religion and health, the Jews holistically integrated all aspects of life, living with full reference to God and God’s laws.
The Bible mentions five factors affecting health and disease: obedience, observation of health laws, sin, prayer and emotional state.
God promised the Israelites health as a result of their obedience.2 If you... keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians.3
God gave the Jews health laws concerning food, contaminated water, regular rest, hygiene, separation from contagious disease and marriage regulations.4 Following these laws brought the Jews high levels of good health.2
The Jews believed there was a connection between sin and disease, with disease stated as one of the curses for disobedience or sin.2 ...every sickness and every plague... will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed.5
Jewish prayer
Disease was responded to correctly by
prayer,2 in direct acknowledgement of
God as ... I am the Lord who heals
you.
prayed for healing . God responded through the prophet Isaiah: I have heard your prayer... surely I will heal you....7 Isaiah then applied a poultice of figs to his boil and he recovered.
To call upon a doctor was seen as
2
going against God’s will e.g. King Asa
who sought the help of doctors rather than God.8
In the New Testament, James called for the sick to be treated by anointing with oil and prayer from church elders, stating again the connections between sin and sickness, forgiveness and healing, prayer and health.9
Not only does the Bible make connections between obedience and health, but also between emotions and health. Jewish thought encompasses spirit, soul and body as interconnecting parts of the human
whole. It states that positive emotions positively affect health: A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.10
Medicines in the Bible
The Bible refers to a limited number of plants and medicines used in temple worship, perfumery, or medications. Ezekiel describes trees whose ... fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.11 Many native plants and trees were used in herbal remedies.12 Isaiah wrote of Judah’s need for cleansing, bandaging and ointment. And on his journey to the cross, Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh
– a painkiller.14
Mandrakes were used by Rachel in Genesis 30 as an aphrodisiac. Song
of Songs15 describes mandrake’s aroma contributing to sexual excitement.16 Mandrake fruit was a love charm,
and the root was thought to promote conception, and could also be used as a cathartic, narcotic or soporific.16
The famous balm of Gilead (Populus balsamifera) was imported into Egypt by the Ishmaelite caravans, along
with spices and myrrh.17 Jewish commentator Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak explains that the balm of Gilead is exuded by the balsam tree.18 The Israelites used it in the Tabernacle incense, and Jeremiah mentioned its
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volume 3 ■ no 31 ■ MARCH 2007
Pharmacy History Australia ■ 15
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On his deathbed, King Hezekiah 6
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