Torah, Corona and Your Health

A timely article by Dr. Nicholas Schaser 

Israel's Laws from Jehovah

In times of physical, social, and medical uncertainty, we can take steps to protect ourselves and promote recovery. At present, these steps include hand-washing, social distancing, and staying at home. The ancient Israelites also had ways to diagnosis and remedy illnesses, and they even practiced social distancing to ensure collective health. For the skin ailment known as tzara’at (צרעת), the priests would examine the patient to ascertain the right healing procedure (see Leviticus 13-14).

While the prescriptions in Leviticus are for the sake of the body, Deuteronomy links tzara’at to the principle of setting one’s mind on the Lord. In this way, the Torah highlights the need to take care of our spiritual health alongside our physical wellbeing; meditation on Scripture and remembrance of God support the spirit, just as proper medical care supports the body.

According to Leviticus, the skin ailment of tzara’at (צרעת) necessitates priestly examination. If a spot on the skin “has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of one’s body, it is a case of tzara’at” (13:3). Those who exhibit possible symptoms of tzara’at are isolated, sometimes for a period of 14 days: “If the spot is white… but appears no deeper than the skin… the priest shall shut up the stricken person for seven days…. And if the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut up [the person] for another seven days” (13:4-5).

In ancient Israel, the people knew the value of personal separation for the sake of health safety. Leviticus preserves a divine precedent for the kind of social-distancing that we can, and should, practice today. 

 

 

26 Responses to Torah, Corona and Your Health

  1. Jacqueline says:

    Covid- 19 was the great equalizer!
    Rich, poor, old young were all in the same boat during quarantine!
    Jenny made a great point tonight about how our life is not guaranteed even if we are rich.

    We have to have Faith in Jesus to save us all.
    Great point.

    Something to think about, sobering, indeed.

  2. jacqueline says:

    It seems we might be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel by Jehovah’s Grace!

    It is so important to take care of our mental and emotional health as we grapple with the new normal.

    A lot of old addictions and bad habits crept in while we were in quarantine. Now with summer on the way in the United States some of the support groups can meet outside and get us back on the right path.

    Some are heading into fall and winter so keep in mind that vitamin D supplements are important in this continuing fight with the various strains of Covid.

    May God bless and keep all of us!

  3. jacqueline says:

    Facts about the Spanish Influenza, I notice the animal connection of pigs.
    I see victims clutching dogs in their faces as they are recuperating. Is animal transition limited to the first animals only? Something to think about when animals are a part of a household as if family. Just my brain trying to reason out sick people sleeping with animals in their faces.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x1aLAw_xkY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJrm8V5KmPs
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfRJEm96Lgo

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