To Your Health – The Torah Way to a Healthy Life in Modern Times by Yechezkel Ishayek Quotes

Abstract
Theologians for centuries thought that many laws in the Pentateuch served a ceremonial function or
aimed to distinguish Israel from the neighboring pagan cultures. In today’s world, there are many
infectious and epidemic transmission of a variant of diseases that are killing human beings. This paper
examines the escalation of the germ theory in the modern and postmodern world to prove that
obedience to God’s rules confers essential health benefits. The paper used phenomenology, ethical, and
evidential tools of philosophy, and theological approach in understanding how modern medicine
relates to scriptural laws. The paper ascertains that the scriptural commandments as used by the
priests confer medical benefits to the people if the modern culture is inclined to obey them. Some of the
diseases in conceptualization are cancer, blood clotting, germs; parasites induced diseases, sexually
transmitted diseases, and addiction, among others. The paper agrees that total obedience to Mosaic
laws and complete trust in Biblical injunctions provide spiritual and physical fitness.
Keywords
Theologians, Pentateuch, Modern Medicine, Diseases, Germ Theory
1. Introduction
The Pentateuch, or Books of the Law, consists of the first five books of the Old Testament (O.T.):
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Christians refer to these books as the
Pentateuch, meaning “five books” or “five scrolls”, while Jews refer to them as the Torah (Note 1).
These five books of the Law are also known as the Hexateuch. Some people criticize the Bible with a
claim of antiquated and not relevant to the modern or postmodern world. Some claim the Bible, is a
piece of ancient Semitic mythology and unscientific. The perspective of these claims cannot hold when
one examines the Mosaic Law and its relevance to the field of medicine. The priests’ duty was to
preserve the holiness and to prevent contamination by any encroachment on its sanctity (Note 2). Out of 613 biblical commandments, 213 are related to health or matters of hygiene, which indicates the
uniqueness of the Hebrews among ancient peoples in their regulations to ensure social hygiene
essential for the health of the community.
Many diseases caused by the presence and actions of specific microorganisms (Note 3) within the body
are grouped in Germ theory. This theory came into being in the nineteen century (from the middle of
the 1800s), superseded the existing miasma (Note 4) and contagion (Note 5) theories of disease, and
changed the practice of medicine. The focus here is not the awareness of the physical existence of
germs but the origin of medicine and cautionary antidotes in the beginning as handed down by God to
the nation, Israel. The identification of disease-causing germs and potentially life-saving treatments
arose from the observations of Ignaz Semmelweis, Joseph Lister, and John Snow to the laboratory
researches of Louis Pasteur in the 1860s and later Robert Koch in the following decades (Note 6).
Philosophy uses the scientific method in one of its methodological approaches. The medical benefits of
the Scriptural laws have been proved scientifically, especially in the growth of Germ theory.
2. Religion and the Pentateuch Laws
Religion is an issue of intense trepidation for every reflective person, whether one ultimately rejects its
validity or not because it addresses, and offers answers to, the most fundamental questions of human
existence. An intractable problem is religious values, which are not open to scientific inquiry. The
philosophy of religion takes religious concepts and beliefs as the primary material for study. Although
often unrecognized, behind the philosophical discussions and debates lurks the rigorous scrutiny of
arguments for the existence of God or the possibility of miracles.
Indeed, the acceptance or rejection of religious faith must be interpreted, implicitly, in terms of some
idea about the definition of religion. At the same time, the lack of consensus about the nature of
religion further complicates the discussion of virtually all-philosophical issues touching on religion. In
the existential perspectives, religion indicates the most profound dimension of human life in which all
other dimensions are rooted. Medical Benefits of the Pentateuch Laws are ancient, modern, and
postmodern, which means they are never out of date. The medical benefits of the laws lay great
emphasis on objectivity and subjectivity. God, who created all that exists, is aware of developing
diseases and sickness and took cautionary steps to prevent them through the laws. Though the
phenomenon of religion might seem to have become obsolete in the recent intellectual and history of
secular modernity, it has re-emerged with extraordinary and surprising influence. Christian scholars
like Tertullian and Origen adopted the name Pentateuch, which corresponds to their Jewish title, as a
convenient designation of these books (Note 7). “The law” was regarded as a unique and authoritative
exposition of all individual and social conduct within Israel (Note 8). The “Law” in O.T. was given by
Moses (John 1:17), which represents the unanimous belief both of the early Christians and the Chosen
Nation (Note 9). Moses was their first as well as their greatest lawgiver. The historical probabilities of
the case support the religious tradition in this matter. Most analytical and empirically informed studies on transformations of the society, and culture information and the contemporary role of religion have a
mutual predicament.
Medical knowledge was slow to advance since the priests were not considered healers, though their
medical miracles were acknowledged. The Jewish medical profession was developed during the
Hellenistic period in 332-152 B.C. God’s deliverance of Israel from captivity in Egypt, made it clear, in
that Israel would not be visited with the diseases inflicted on Egypt providing God’s commandments
were obeyed, “I am the Lord, your healer” (Exodus 15:26; Cf. Deut. 32:39, “I kill, and I make alive, I
wound, and I heal.” For the relationship between sickness and sin, see Num. 12:9-13; Deut. 28:15, 21,
22; 1 Kings 14:1-18; Ps 38:3-9; 2 Chron. 21:6, 19). To be well, which included health in its broadest
sense, was expressed by the term shalom, “whose root denotes completion, fulfillment, wholeness, and
a restored relationship with God” (Note 10) Since sickness, regarded as the result of sin, cut the
believer off from God, the patient was considered ritually unclean and in a state of unholy.
3. Modern Medicine & Germ Theory
For centuries the Jews, distinguished themselves in the practice of medicine, a tradition reaching back
to Talmudic times when rabbis were frequently acknowledged for their healing skills (Note 11). This
trend developed during the medieval period in Europe, when Jews, excluded from practically all the
learned professions, turned to medicine as a means of livelihood (Note 12). As a result, the Jews have
been esteemed for their medical skills. In this present time, continue to occupy a distinguished position
in the medical profession throughout the world (Note 13).
The most spectacular medical advance of the 19th century was the conclusive demonstration that
certain diseases, as well as the infection of surgical wounds, were directly caused by minute living
organisms. This discovery changed the whole face of pathology (Note 14) and upshot a complete
revolution in the practice of surgery. Another pioneer in bacteriology (Note 15) was German physician
Robert Koch, who showed how bacteria could be cultivated, isolated, and examined in the laboratory.
Koch discovered the organisms of tuberculosis (Note 16) and cholera (Note 17) in 1882, and 1883,
respectively. In the first half of the 20th century, emphasis continued to be placed on combating
infection. In the years following World War II, insights derived from cell biology altered basic concepts
of the disease process. Discoveries in biochemistry and physiology opened the way for more precise
diagnostic tests and more effective therapies, and spectacular advances in biomedical engineering
enabled the physician and surgeon to probe into the structures and functions of the body by noninvasive
imaging techniques such as ultrasound (sonar), computerized axial tomography (CAT), and nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) (Note 18).
Modern Medicine discovered Antibiotics like Penicillin, Anti-tuberculosis drugs, and other antibiotics.
Also developed are the Antibacterial vaccinations: Typhoid, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Flu-virus and several
others. Over the past four decades, modern biochemistry uncovered the secrets of the cell. The
knowledge of life at the molecular level has been stitched together from innumerable experiments in which proteins were purified, genes cloned, electron micrographs taken, cells cultured, structures
determined, sequences compared, parameters varied, and controls done (Note 19). Some scholars refer
to an intelligent designer, known in theism as God. This same God gave the Mosaic Laws to protect
human beings from diseases. There is denotative concordance in the diseased human states with revised
cultures, environment, and ecology. Every cognitive process, including the conceptualization or
generalization of some perceived facts—such as diseased human states– entails an emotional aspect.
Also, every evaluative process related to a fact, especially a social one is based on cognitive-emotional
processes (Note 20). In this regard, values are often understood as the criteria human beings consider to
select and justify behavior, to evaluate the others and us, to assess events in general, and to make
decisions (Note 21). Not only the value of human life stands out, but the value of useful life, i.e., the
concept of healthy human life (“health”), which has prevailed throughout entire human history (Note
22). With the progressive development of language, such states were descriptively denominated, first
orally, and then in writing. Analytic Philosophy of Religion emphasizes on religious language.
Since scientific and technological advances have allowed for differentiation in living organisms’
components (organs, cells, molecules), the terms to denote overall physical weakness or suffering states
(disease, and illness) would not be the most adequate anymore. Indeed, strictly speaking, proposing that
both a cell and an organ experience a sick state is not the most appropriate. According to current
knowledge related to both neurocognitive processes and linguistics, all reviewed designations about
“disease” would not be the most adequate if they are to refer only to the human being global state
(perceived as physical weakness or suffering) and not include other biological systems (organs and
cells).
4. The Mosaic Laws and Their Medical Benefits
In biblical times sickness and death were interpreted, as God’s punishment for disobedience to his will.
It is presumed that punishment was in the hand of God, and so was healing. Specific Old Testament
laws are efficacious in modern medicine. Moses left a legacy of unmatched medical advancement.
Great Professors and Consultant Physicians like R. Vis William, Edward Neufeld, D. H. Trapnell, and
Rendle-Short noted on the efficacy of Pentateuch’s laws and its relevance to modern medicine. Dr.
William R. Vis (Note 23) pointed out that the great lawgiver, Moses in treating leprosy and preventing
the spread of the disease in ancient times, used techniques unknown to the medical profession until
reasonably recently (Note 24).
The separation Moses commanded in the biblical times is now known today as quarantine. Dr. Vis
confirms Moses’ advanced knowledge in actions taken on the affected people. Moses sterilized the
patient’s clothing (Lev. 13:47 ff.), bed, and even the house itself (14:34 ff.) (Note 25). The leper was
mandated to put on a mask, on his upper lip (13:45). Dr. Edward Neufeld (Note 26) affirmed that some
diseases were caused by entry into the body of some infective agents (Note 27). Neufeld noted that
Pentateuch’s laws of purification and disease prevention were a reasonably well-developed system of hygiene (Note 28). D. H. Trapnell, M.D., Consultant Radiologist at Westminster Hospital in London,
observes, the biblical outlook on the sick, and on health in general, has a bearing on modern medical
practice, and is perhaps more up-to-date than is generally realized (Note 29). Late A. Rendle-Short,
M.D. (Note 30), commenting on Deuteronomy 14:21, which prohibits eating the meat of an animal
which has died of disease, observed,
The Law is more noteworthy because thereby a significant source of the food supply is cast away as
useless. Whence had the Biblical writer this insight, two or three thousand years in advance of his day
(Note 31)?
In furtherance to the claims of respected medical scholars, this paper will now examine specific
passages of the O.T. concerning its efficacy to modern medicine.
5. Leviticus 13-15
Leviticus 13-15 depicts Laws instructing people to wash after touching the dead or sick; the Quarantine
(isolate) law of diseased individuals and anything they touch, and competent laws at limiting the spread
of disease. In Leviticus 13 alone, 46 instances can be found, but none in chapter 14, although it also
deals with scale disease (Note 32). Of these 46 instances, 34, that is, about 75%, refer to some human
skin disorder (Note 33). This is also almost two-thirds of the total of 56 explicit references to the
human skin in the Old Testament. As Hartley (Note 34) pointed out, the diagnoses in this Leviticus 13
had to be accurate, as the consequences could be so severe. Incidentally, some rabbinic sources claim
verse 33 in this chapter to be the exact middle of the Pentateuch (Note 35). There are seven categories
of skin appearances in Leviticus 13: a shiny mark, which is probably a scab, white discoloration (not
swelling) (Note 36), a boil, a burn from a fire, a scar, a scall, literally a ‘tearing-off’, a tetter or a variety
of leukoderma, vitiligo, which has no flaking, alopecia on his head or crown or from the front part of
his forehead and more particularly a white-reddish mark on his bald crown or bald forehead. The five
symptoms, some of which are common to several of these seven appearances, are whether the mark is
deeper or lower than the skin, in Leviticus 13:3, 4, 25, 30, 31, 32 and in Leviticus 13:20, 21, 26
respectively; whether it spreads, in Leviticus 13:7, 8, 22, 27, 35, 36, 51; whether it has turned the hair
white, in Leviticus 13:3, 10, 25 or yellow in Leviticus 13:30, whether it fades after the quarantine
period in Leviticus 13:6, 21, 26, 28, 56 and whether “raw” flesh appears in the mark in Leviticus 13:10,
14, 15, 16.
These skin appearances are dealt with in Leviticus 13-14 between the associated conditions of the two
transitional processes of childbirth in chapter 12 and one who has an issue, i.e., a genital discharge in
chapter 15, both to be privately controlled whereas scale diseases were a public and visible matter, dealt
with only by professionals, the priests (Note 37) who themselves acted as “skin” by mediating the
inside and the outside of the social body: the priest had to leave the camp in Leviticus 14:3 and so
opens himself up for “infection” in the presence of the patient.
The purification rituals for all three states are also similar though not identical. All three involved the prohibition to touch: those in chapters 12 and 15 to control the sexual drive and that in chapters 13-14
to control the aggressive drive (Note 38). All three were seen as some ‘emission.’ All three threaten the
integrity of the body by the breach of the body’s containing walls and thus making it vulnerable and
countering the creation of boundaries by God who, when angry destroys this order and floods the world
with emissions (Note 39).
6. Bodily Discharges
There are four types of bodily discharges mentioned in Leviticus 15, and all the four rendered one
“unclean” for at least seven days and required sacrifices to be declared “clean” again. The four types of
discharge are (1) a chronic male discharge, verses 1-15, (2) emissions of semen, verses 16-18, (3) a
woman’s discharge during menstruation, verses 19-24, and (4) a chronic female issue of blood, verses
25-30. The four bodily discharges have to do with fertility (or periods of infertility) and the proper
function of the sexual organs. The literary structure of this chapter balances two types of discharge,
chronic and intermittent, dealing with both sexes, making four specific cases. Verses 2-15 relate to a
chronic discharge in the male, a “running issue out of his flesh”. The exact nature of the disease is not
known. Some suggestions have been hemorrhoids or gonorrhea or some venereal disease.
The latter is based upon the Greek version of the Old Testament (Septuagint), and most commentators
accept this diagnosis. The striking thing about the uncleanness associated with these discharges is that
not only the affected person became unclean, but also people and objects that came in contact with him,
and these in their turn could become secondary sources of uncleanness. The type of uncleanness was
more “infectious” than the uncleanness of skin diseases dealt with (in chapters 13 and 14), or unclean
animals (in chapter 11). For example, any “bed” (verse 4-5), chair (verse 6), or “saddle” (verse 9),
became unclean and also a source of secondary pollution. Verses 16-18 contain regulations governing
an occasional emission of semen. The “seed of copulation” (Literally “outpouring of seed”), in
intercourse (verse 18), or at other times (verses 16-17), also caused pollution (compare Exodus 19:15;
Lev. 22:4; Deut. 23: 10-11; 1 Sam. 21:5; 2 Sam.11: 11). No sacrifice was required, but the man and
woman had to wash and wait until evening, verse 16-18. The practical effect of this legislation was that
when a man had religious duties to perform, whether this involved worship or participation in God’s
holy wars, sexual intercourse was not permitted. Verses 19-24, relate to women and the intermittent
discharges associated with menstruation. Then certain rules governing a chronic emission are dealt with
in verses 25-30.
7. Circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the prepuce, or foreskin, of a male. The word ‘circumcise’
literally means “to cut around.” As a religious rite, circumcision was required of all of Abraham’s
descendants as a sign of the covenant God made with him (Genesis 17:9-14; Acts 7:8). The Mosaic
Law repeated the requirement (Leviticus 12:2-3), and Jews throughout the centuries have continued to practice circumcision (Joshua 5:2-3; Luke 1:59; Acts 16:3; Philippians 3:5). The rite of circumcision
was given to Abraham in Genesis 17. All the males among God’s people were to be physically marked
(on the sexual organ) as set apart for the Lord. Abraham and all his “seeds” were to “walk before God
faithfully and be blameless” In the light of circumcision as a covenantal sign, an entire chapter
(Leviticus 15: 1-33) is devoted to the productivity and proper use of the sexual organs. Wives of
circumcised men have a much lower risk of contracting cervical cancer because the lack of a foreskin
reduces the male’s ability to harbor and transmit the human papillomavirus. Circumcision saves
newborn babies from blood clotting. Blood clot level in newborn babies shows that circumcision on the
eight-day (Gen. 17:12) is the safest time in a male’s life to have surgery.
8. Flu Virus
Modern research shows that most new deadly strains of influenza arise under conditions where people
are in close contact with pigs and birds. Pigs’ function as a bridge between the bird and human forms of
influenza – originate in China, Hong Kong & other areas where people live close to pigs.
Lv. 17:13; Dt. 23: 12-13
These bible passages are to dispose of excrement and blood properly. The effective disposal will save
people from contagious diseases and epidemics.
9. Fornication / Adultery
Exodus 20: 14; Pr. 5 warn the people of committing fornication or adultery. The best way to protect
oneself against sexually transmitted diseases is by avoiding fornication and adultery. The health reasons
avoiding fornication or adultery include unwanted pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
like HIV/Aids, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B & C, Human Papillomavirus,
Syphilis, and reproductive impairment caused by STDs. Risk of sexually transmitted diseases leading
to death or inability to reproduce (have children) is the main health reasons for sexual abstinence until
marriage and fidelity in marriage (Note 40).
10. Addiction
In avoiding addictions, one will be spared one from alcohol, drug, and tobacco-related diseases (Pr 20:
1; 23: 19-21, 29-35). The general meaning and thesaurus of addiction are Habit, Compulsion,
Dependence, Need, Obsession, Craving, and Infatuation. To be an addict is to devote or surrender
(oneself) to something habitually or obsessively. Addiction is the quality or state of being addicted. The
causes and meaning of addiction vary from people to people depending on perspective and background:
• Addiction to some is a failure of morality, a spiritual weakness, sin, or crime by people who will
not take responsibility for their behavior. To these people if addicts want to self-destruct, let them; it is
their fault; they choose to abuse themselves.
• For the teetotaler and politicians, it is a self-control problem.
• For sociologists, it is poverty.
• For educators, it is ignorance.
• Psychiatrists or psychologists will say personality traits; temperament and character are at the
root of addictive personalities.
• Biologically oriented people will consign it to the genes and heredity.
• Social-learning & cognitive-behavior theorists will say it is a case of conditioned response,
intended or unintended reinforcement of inappropriate behaviors
• To Anthropologists, addiction is culturally determined
• Dan Quayle, an American citizen, blames addiction on the breakdown of family values.
• The most popular theory is that addictive behavior diseases.
There are various types of addiction that break family values and turn upside down the unity in a family.
They include:
• Work,
• Sport,
• Television,
• Food,
• Alcohol,
• Hard Drugs,
• Caffeine,
• Steroids,
• Theft,
• Gambling,
• Exercise,
• Love,
• Sex, among others.
Paul summarizes addiction in his Pronunciation in the Scripture,
• All Addictions are immorality and Greed
• Addiction is evil & a Sin
• They are forms of Idolatry because they demand an allegiance, which is due to God alone, and
• Addiction is slavery – Romans 6: 16
The new view on addiction is that addiction theories and policies are woefully outdated. Research
shows that there are no demon drugs; nor are addicts innately defective. Nature supplies all people with
the ability to become hooked, and all engage in addictive behaviors to some degree. However, the brain,
mind, and behavior specialists are re-thinking the whole notion of addiction. With help from
neuroscience, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychology, and genetics, they are challenging their
hard-core assumptions and famous “certainties” and finding surprisingly common characteristics
among addictions. They are using new imaging techniques to see how addiction looks and feels and where cravings “live”
in the brain and mind. They are concluding that things are far from hopeless and they are rapidly
replacing conjecture with facts. “Everyone engages in addictive behaviors to some extent because such
things as eating, drinking, and sex are essential to survival and highly reinforcing (Note 41)”, The fact
remains that personality without God tends towards addiction. When a man realizes that he is God’s
creation and everything about him including his activities are from the hand of God, and without God,
can never be whole or happy; addiction will only then become extinct. According to King Solomon,
God gives wisdom, knowledge one, and happiness to those that please Him. Those addicted are looking
for these things that only God can give.
11. Stress
Prayer, meditation, and treating others minimize the damaging effects of stress (Lv. 19: 13-18; Ps 23:
27: 1-3, 91: 3-7).
12. Conclusion
The uniqueness of the medical benefits from the Mosaic laws transcends generations and centuries,
which support the theism belief in God. Some scholars term these laws as a ceremonial function of the
priests but have served to prevent infectious and epidemic transmission of diseases. In essence,
obedience to God’s laws confers health benefits. Humankind will continue to enjoy spiritual and
physical fitness as long as they obey God’s laws. The duty of the priest, therefore, included the
protection of the community from infectious disease.
Similarly, the priests also possessed some knowledge of medicine, as witnessed in the treatment by
Elijah of the dead son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-23). On the restoration of her son, the
widow acknowledged Elijah as a man of God in whose mouth “the word of the Lord is the truth” (v.
24). Whether these miracles were the result of natural phenomena or not, they were carried out by
God’s agents, the priests, and prophets, whose function was to act on the Lord’s behalf. Modern
medicine agrees to the prophylactic and curative dimensions of the Pentateuch laws.