Julian Ungar-Sargon

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Daf Ditty

A wide-ranging commentary on the daily page of Talmud.

Pesachim 56: Hezekiah Buried The Book of Cures

jyungar January 16, 2021

For the source text click/tap here: Pesachim 56

To download, click/tap here: PDF

Following the Mishnaic teaching about the six customs of the people of Jericho, the Gemara tells of six actions of King Hizkiyahu, three of which received the approval of the Sages, three of which did not. One of King Hizkiyahu’s activities was suppressing the sefer refu’ot, the Book of Cures, from popular use.

Chizkiyah also concealed a book that contained healing remedies, because people would no longer be submissive when they became ill, as following the instructions in this book would bring them an instant cure.

Why did he bury what might have been a source of healing?

After reviewing the opposing reason by Rashi and Mainonides we review the very conflict between the permission to heal vs reliance in providence.

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Julian Ungar-Sargon

This is Julian Ungar-Sargon's personal website. It contains poems, essays, and podcasts for the spiritual seeker and interdisciplinary aficionado.​