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:

    How can a disease with 1% mortality shut down the United States?
    How can a disease with 1% mortality shut down the United States?

    There are two problems with this question.

    It neglects the law of large numbers; and

    It assumes that one of two things happen: you die or you’re 100% fine. The US has a population of 328,200,000. If one percent of the population dies, that’s 3,282,000 people dead.

    Three million people dead would monkey wrench the economy no matter what. That more than doubles the number of annual deaths all at once.

    The second bit is people keep talking about deaths. Deaths, deaths, deaths. Only one percent die! Just one percent! One is a small number! No big deal, right?

    What about the people who survive?

    For every one person who dies:

    19 more require hospitalization.

    18 of those will have permanent heart damage for the rest of their lives.

    10 will have permanent lung damage.

    3 will have strokes.

    2 will have neurological damage that leads to chronic weakness and loss of coordination.

    2 will have neurological damage that leads to loss of cognitive function. So now all of a sudden, that “but it’s only 1% fatal!” becomes:

    3,282,000 people dead.

    62,358,000 hospitalized.

    59,076,000 people with permanent heart damage.

    32,820,000 people with permanent lung damage.

    9,846,000 people with strokes.

    6,564,000 people with muscle weakness.

    6,564,000 people with loss of cognitive function.

    That’s the thing that the folks who keep going on about “only 1% dead, what’s the big deal?” don’t get.

    The choice is not “ruin the economy to save 1%.” If we reopen the economy, it will be destroyed anyway. The US economy cannot survive everyone getting COVID-19.

  2. Ted R says:

    An interesting video by Perry Stone regarding Corona Virus and Prophecy

    https://youtu.be/O6SVVS0_ZlA

    • jacqueline says:

      TedR, China families killed more girl babies than any nation I believe. Billie Graham daughter told the story of her grandparents who were missionaries there in the early 20th century.
      They say they would see dogs eating girl babies on the side of the road every day in China.
      I agree with him on the legalization of things God forbids.
      This is just a great video. We need to discuss this tonight maybe.

  3. jacqueline says:

    K-House news
    Israel-US team find drug that can stop Covid-19 in its tracks
    July 14, 2020
    Could a well-known cholesterol-lowering drug help treat Covid-19? A research team led by Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Yaakov Nahmias says that early research looks promising.

    Over the last three-months, Nahmias and Dr. Benjamin tenOever at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center have focused on the ways in which the SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that’s causing our current pandemic) changes patients’ lungs in order to reproduce itself.

    — israel21c

  4. jacqueline says:

    WhAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON IN CHINA?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yEhSRlSN5g

    I have been watching this now for a month and can’t figure out why the National News is not covering this.

  5. Lee Anthony says:

    Heb 13
    Let brotherly love continue. Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. Remember those in prison, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated,fn as though you yourselves were suffering bodily

    While not to downplay the covid virus I want to point out just 1 fact of many that is of interest in our world, Every YEAR approximately 1-3 million people die from malaria, something we CAN treat. Most of these are CHildren! The excuses are many yet the point is these are all preventable but not talked about and therefore given little attention or help. Between Jan-April it killed about 135,000, how many did covid kill? More of course yes, but not a whole lot more and we don’t yet have a way to treat it. This is based on a stat that the 400 richest Americans can pool about 10 percent of their money (not much for a billionaire) and this would be enough to not only begin treating all of the places where malaria kills so many but also give the same people clean running water and sewer. Math, while not something I get into a lot, statistics are always interesting as it highlights the worst of the worst in our world most of whom happen to be leaders claiming to care. Perhaps many do, we often see a lot of the rich and famous in poor afflicted areas helping children, ministries building churches and wells, and much more. While Gods kingdom is needed to really make the difference the fact is that many who have the power to affect change like huge organizations, JW’s for example, care only for themselves and little for those in need.

    Lev 19
    If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

    Yeshua often went out of his way to help the sick and suffering, and as followers of him since we are told to imitate his example it may be a good idea to share more than knowledge and share a meal and more. Covid prevents a lot of this but it does not stop it all. As we minister to one another shall we not also minister to those outside of our special groups?

    Matt 25
    Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’

    • jacqueline says:

      Lee you know I was thinking about our response to this outbreak. Because we know how the Black plaque stopped and other outbreaks they were able to quarantine, but not as soon as they should have. I always say follow the money on things.
      Mosquitoes have been a plaque on its own with malaria as you mentioned. But because of the regions where it is mostly, governments don’t act as deeply. Also, cultures have other factors that makes this so hard to cope with.

      I was also thinking about out Egyptian type culture here in the western world of worship of the cat and the dog. One lady told me her dogs are a part of her family when I suggested the baby not be licked in the mouth by the dog that had just licked himself. I wondered if she thought the dog was somehow human.
      Adoption shelters emptied by apartment dwellers and persons who have never had a pet, nor is their homes equipped for the proper sanitation methods of living in close quarters with an animal. It makes you think about the disease in children now since we know animals can pass it among themselves and this is purported to come from the animal kingdom.

      I guess I am saying hygiene is critical when a plague hits.
      In Europe, they actually lived with rats running around openly with not desire to eradicate them because they didn’t know about bacterial.
      I just hope the cult of worship of animals doesn’t get our society in trouble. I am going to see if I can check if this had a deleterious effect on Egypt at all for having animals sleep in their beds.

  6. jacqueline says:

    There are questions out there as to whether the economy had to be destroyed and strict quarantines put in place.

    To understand the issues at hand, governments had not planned for a what if.

    Simply put if you have 10,000 beds and 10,000 ventilators, mask, gowns, PPE. But you have 100,000 people getting sick near death in one day you have a problem. Also factor in those not near death but need some oxygen only.
    90,000 people are doomed to death instantly, because the authorities didn’t realize you must make everybody shelter in place and get sick 10,000 at a time over a very long period of time, not 100,000 every day. Actually more lives would be saved if they went through June 30th and opened up for July 4th with distancing. But follow the dollar. When the young start dying 20-50. They will have a problem that is your backbone generation.
    Failure to realize the 2009 Sars coronavirus killed over 500,000. You know you are going to have a pandemic in a few years.

    An economy does not work if there are no people. Italy lost a whole generation they said. Suppose those were not older people but 30-50 years old. Children would not have parents etc.

    The black plaque didn’t go away until they strictly quarantined. One king shut himself up during the plague.
    You have to quarantine during measles, even when it was a global problem.

  7. jacqueline says:

    Things we call “Natural Disasters” or “Acts of God”,

    God calls them plagues:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFuJCBkOCd8&list=WL&index=41&t=0s

  8. jacqueline says:

    Has anyone heard the allegation that over 900 have tested positive at Bethel and 268 deaths?

    Check it out and let us know p[leas if it is true.
    I can imagine it is like a nursing home setting but without skilled care. Also, they have an infirmary with older ones there.
    Not stating it as truth but it is out there as possible.

  9. jacqueline says:

    I want to share something funny. My sons have me on lockdown especially my oldest who is a chief at the fire dept. He warned sternly at the end of February for me not to go out of that house mommy!
    So Monday I said can I go and just get me some coffee creamer?
    He was shocked that I literally did what he said. I took out garbage in gloves and masks, got mail the same way. I walked around my house over and over, sat in the rocking chair on my porch, but never leaving for nearly two months now. My neighbors said move the car wheels at least.
    He asked how are you getting food?? I said I have everything delivered from Schwann and Meijers on the porch.
    He said mom you can go for a walk, you live in the woods. Get some sun! I did exactly what he said. Now I will facemask up with gloves and walk. I won’t pass too many people.
    When you get older you sort of do what your sons say.

  10. jacqueline says:

    Deepak Chopra explains how mindfulness could help us survive the coronavirus crisis
    Jenny Miller
    Yahoo LifeApril 17, 2020, 9:04 PM UTC

    During uncertain times like these, stress levels are heightened with every breaking news story and unanswered question, not to mention there’s a lurking sense of dread from the abyss of uncertainty. One of the scariest parts of the coronavirus outbreak is this element of the unknown, which forces us to dwell on future-based fears. Yahoo Lifestyle sat down with mindfulness expert Deepak Chopra, MD, to share how shifting our focus to the present moment could make all the difference in surviving this pandemic, and ultimately living happier and healthier lives.

    Chopra is the founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit research organization, as well as Chopra Global, a modern-day health company at the intersection of science and spirituality. As a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, Chopra explained to Yahoo what mindfulness is and how to begin to practice it. “Mindfulness is the practice of being present to every experience as it happens without judgment,” Chopra says. “All forms of judgment are activities that increase the turbulence of the mind.”

    Starting each day with a judgment-free intention allows you to have a quiet mind, leading to a “healing mind.” Chopra goes on to share how being mindful and centered leads to better decision making. Now more than ever, we may find it difficult to settle the anxieties in our minds caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but it seems that being present may be the key to making each day more positive and productive.

    Chopra is also the executive producer of The Mindfulness Movement, a documentary that introduces us to people who are working to build a better world by practicing and spreading mindfulness. Each subject reveals their own personal hardships and demonstrates how mindfulness alone changed the trajectory of their lives. Chopra hopes that this message inspires others to learn how to become centered self-healers, assuring that “when enough people change, then the world changes.”

    If you’re interested in starting your journey to mindfulness, Chopra and Oprah Winfrey are now offering virtual wellness sessions where you can take part in a free 21-day meditation program online. However, putting mindfulness into action can be as simple as using Chopra’s “STOP formula,” which reminds us to stop, breath, smile, observe and “proceed consciously with awareness and kindness.”

    Video produced by Stacy Jackman

    For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDC’s and WHO’s resource guides.

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  11. jacqueline says:

    Tonight on the news I saw an inmate in his 20’s that was released early because of COVID-19. He said he saw a man in his twenties go from a healthy man through every stage of suffering from COVID. Although young and healthy he couldn’t move, chills and malaise.

    It turned this young man’s life around. (the sick inmate survived). So there seems to be a turning, a resetting of some humans to take a look at their life. He turned to the Muslim help center in his underserved neighborhood but he stopped to think about worship.
    One Minister said he had 300,000 on one meeting and 500,000 on the easter meeting, online. He said he never spoke to over 3,000 people in his life at one time and he is not a young man.

    Isaiah the 24th chapter is sobering. We have changed the covenants. The family is the lasting covenant with Jesus as their King.
    All things that can be shakened will be shakened and everybody rich and poor will be equally affected.

    Isaiah 49 and Isaiah 52:5,6.
    Ps. 65:1 Ps 22 and Psalm 72 are sobering chapters to consider.
    Satan caused all sorts of things to happen with Job by God’s permission. With Jesus, he tried to kill him with a violent storm and by killing the boy babies.

    All of the generation that saw Israel come to be a nation, at home, is almost being killed off. One has to wonder what is going on?

    I think this is a cosmic war in the invisible going on, but time will tell. Just thinking out loud.

  12. jacqueline says:

    Isa 24 seems not to be just Israel but the entire earth.
    Psalm 65:1, Ps. 22, Psalm 72:7,8, Isa 49, Isa52:5,6.

    This is a sobering talk by MacArthur showing where the scriptures say the entire earth and not just the Jewish nation that God will send a scourge and make every man equal, just like what we have now the rich and the poor are equal. Some nations have stopped fighting. 300,000 to 500,000 reached with the news about Christ risen because everybody is at home. The world has stopped at a great time of year. Many are searching the internet to hear about Jehovah God, the God of the Bible.
    Great discussion.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgvPz_GZwvg&t=912s

  13. jacqueline says:

    Just thinking out loud. What a perfect storm we have as nations might have to work together to combat this silent unseeable enemy COVID-19.

    Nations have stopped fighting to combat this and so can arise from this storm a false savior, Nations with a false peace can prepare to wipe out Israel and in turn meet Michael the Jesus on the battlefield.

    Not saying this is it but things can happen quickly. We are encouraged to save up 2 weeks worth of drinking and cooking water. They now know COVID is in the oceans and each time a wave hits the shores it is like a giant cough or exhalation.

    1948 is when Israel returned and looks like COVID is wiping out all of those that saw it, hmm?? Just thinking out loud since I can’t go outside.
    Also, I wonder why Grammarly is capitalizing COVID each time I write it?

  14. Ted R (Bible Student) says:

    Is Corona ushering in the one world government? Here is an article from a noted Pastor and his views on what is going to happen. He makes some interesting points and a lot of people have similar views. At this point I do not take these projections as gospel, just interesting speculation! Regardless of whether these speculations materialize, as Christians we were commanded by our Lord to keep awake. We look forward to Christ’s return. At the same time we don’t want to be deceived.
    Luke 21:8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
    10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
    25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

    https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/end-times/is-one-world-government-foreshadowing-the-rise-of-the-antichrist.html?utm_source=Daily%20Update&utm_campaign=Crosswalk%20Daily%20Update&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3178671&bcid=28b1af9e38a3afd1800cabd6cdb8f8cf&recip=539870705%20

  15. jacqueline says:

    People who do well in crises are the ones who take action on their own behalf and on behalf of others to gain some control over the situation. They might find it useful to regulate the powerful emotions that crises elicit by taking deep cleansing breaths and using grounding techniques when experiencing overwhelming anxiety. They might establish reassuring routines and eat and sleep at regular times. Some find it beneficial to take a break from the news if they find the news to be overwhelmingly upsetting. Others find that exercise helps, or a walk in the sunlight when possible. Some use this downtime to involve themselves in creative pursuits such as art, music, or writing. Books and movies can provide needed breaks by allowing for temporarily escape into different worlds. When feeling isolated, some people reach out to others to receive solace from nurturing relationships or they might find satisfaction in offering help.

    Dear Friends,

    All of us have been severely impacted by the fear caused by the novel coronavirus. Many of us are dealing with ongoing anxiety and a feeling of helplessness when we’re faced with such a powerful threat, as this one, that we can’t control. Those who have been traumatized in the past are particularly vulnerable to the anxiety caused by this situation. Past traumas are stirred up by present fears; and, when dealing with a new trauma, we can become lost in memories and fantasies that emanate from earlier traumas. We experience our memories of past situations as if they were a part of our present life and our reaction to these memories can undermine our ability to make the most of our lives in the present.

    Connect with family and friends and fight the feeling of returning to your past abusive environment.
    God got this!

    Living in this confined and scary world makes it difficult for all of us to be our best selves. This is a time to practice self-acceptance (instead of self-blame). Keep your sense of humor. Most of all, please remember, this frightening time will pass.

    Keep safe and take care of yourselves!

  16. jacqueline says:

    Proverbs 22:3
    Contemporary English Version
    When you see trouble coming, don’t be stupid and walk right into it–be smart and hide.

    Social Distancing worked for Israelites when disease came up. 14-day quarantine, then 7 days more after the last cough.

    https://bibleevidences.com/medical-evidence/

    New Living Translation
    A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

    Christian Standard Bible
    A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

    https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/plague-black-death-quarantine-history-how-stop-spread/

  17. Lee Anthony says:

    Another perspective on the skin disease often translated leprosy in many translations

    https://www.lehigh.edu/~gdb0/simcha/tzaraat.htm

  18. Lee Anthony says:

    Numbers 19:11-12 talks about handling dead bodies and there is more in Lev chap 15 about infection of different types

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