Words From Rabbi White

A COMMENTARY THAT TOUCHED ME PERSONALLY

Dear Chevra Shaas/ Shearith Israel,

I know that this week is parashat Re’eh, but I saw last week, when studying parashat Eiqev, a “peirush” that hit home, so I thought to share it with you.

Rabbeinu Bahya ben Asher wrote a highly respected commentary on the Torah. R. Bahya lived in Spain in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. He was a student of the great scholar known as Rashba, who in turn had studied under the great Ramban (Nahmanides.)

He introduces every parasha with a verse from Mishle, the Proverbs of Solomon, and then shows the connection between that verse and the parasha. Last week, for parashat `eiqev, his introduction was from Chapter 4 of Mishle, presented as wise advice from a parent to child, understood by Jewish tradition as admonishing to follow the words of the Torah. The father tells the child that his teachings (i.e. The Torah) give life to those who find them, and HEALING TO ALL OF HIS FLESH. The parasha begins by promising blessings to those who follow the Torah.

So, Rabbeinu Bahya explains that we see from here a great value to Torah, which gives healing to the entire body, without any damage to any one part of the body. He stressed that the Torah is healing for body and soul.

Rabbeinu Bahya continues: a doctor will prescribe a medication, or a food to eat or drink, which will heal the limb that is ailing, but could be injurious to another part of the body; whereas Torah is beneficial for the entire body. [He wasn’t opposed to medicine per se, as many great Sephardi scholars were doctors, but it is a fact that medicines could have side effects.]

That commentary hit home recently: as a result of a regular blood test, my GP recommended that I see a certain specialist, who in turn recommended a certain medication. I hesitated to follow that prescription, as my “gut” feeling was that, besides the exorbitant expense, it could cause more harm than good. So…. I went for a second opinion [and then for a “katuv ha-shelishi”, tie breaking opinion to a 3rd doctor.] The 2^nd and 3^rd doctors strongly agreed with me.

[Don’t get me wrong. I greatly respect the medical profession, but that comment of R. Bahya seemed relevant to me]

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We read the third of the 7 haftarot of consolation from Isaiah. Rosh Hodesh of Elul is on Sunday and Monday, but that does not affect the haftarah. The molad is motsa’ei Shabbat, 26 minutes and 6 halaqim after 11. We begin sounding the shofar in synagogue on Monday morning.

Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Menahem White, Chevra Shaas