[Avodah] [Areivim] Rabbis: Alternative medicine based on idolatry

[Prof. Levine]

At 10:52 AM 8/18/2011, harchinam wrote:
> From <http://tinyurl.com/4yvqq6v>http://tinyurl.com/4yvqq6v
>Six senior Religious Zionism rabbis sign manifesto warning public 
>not to seek holistic treatments as 'some methods involve elements 
>studied in different idolatrous sects'
>
>
>The bolded sentence [which appeared below the headline] is false. 
>When I read it, I was rather shocked since that would be an ignorant 
>statement to make and anyone who has studied the matter would not 
>make it. Then, I read the article -- always a good idea with these 
>things. What the real [and more correct] statement is follows:
>
>"The religious leaders are calling on the public not to turn to 
>holistic therapy or seek studies in that field without thoroughly 
>examining the nature of the treatments through a person with 
>knowledge in Halacha and medicine."
>
>This is the more accurate statement. I am an ND [included in the 
>umbrella of holistic practitioners] and I practice what is called 
>"evidence based medicine" and I do not rely on AZ or magic or 
>anything else.  I think that the sentence that was bolded was a 
>typical ploy by Ynet to make religious people look ridiculous and 
>judging by the comments below the article, the usual contingent 
>bought it hook, line, and sinker. Not surprising.
>
>I think that reading articles in Ynet is bad for one's health -- 
>they raise your blood pressure for no good reason and there is 
>nothing to be learned from them. :-(
>
>*** Rena

You seem to have ignored my comment that followed this statement, 
namely, "I heard Rabbi Yisroel Belsky speak about alternative 
medicine some years ago and he said the same thing.  What impressed 
me about his talk was the fact that he had spent time reading 
scholarly journal articles about this topic."

Rav Belsky made it clear that in his opinion there are elements of AZ 
involved in at least some of these alternative medical approaches.

The following is from http://tinyurl.com/3qoyzun



What is the Jewish view on alternative medicine?




by 
<http://www.askmoses.com/en/scholars.html?at=Rabbi&afn=Baruch%20Emanuel&aln=Erdstein>Rabbi 
Baruch Emanuel Erdstein

The Short Answer:

It's not about which medicinal method you use, but about how you use it.

The Askmoses Answer:

Today many are exploring traditional healing practices that are 
novice to conventional Western healing. Whether employing meditative 
techniques, herbology, and/or understandings of the body and spirit 
utilizing points of spiritual energy, age old practices have become 
new age medicine.

Many of the traditions involved in developing these techniques are 
rooted in forms of paganism, which leads many a Jew to question the 
permissibility of such therapies. Needless to say, one would never 
pursue a remedy that requires idolatrous ritual worship, but what 
about innocent looking healing agents that might stem from pagan 
beliefs; is that a form of idolatry?

Truth be told, by focusing on anything other than the Divine when 
seeking healing or practicing medicine, one runs the risk of 
practicing a form of idol worship. By turning to a healing spirit, 
homeopathic treatment, or even a Western doctor to heal, one runs the 
risk of putting trust in the agent rather than in G-d.

Our task then is to view all medicinal techniques as tools, provided 
by G-d, enabling us to serve Him in wellness

In fact, so sensitive is this issue that the Talmud questions whether 
a person is allowed to "take healing into his own hands," rather than 
strictly rely on Divine Providence to grant a person what his soul 
deserves. The Talmudic sages conclude that it is permissible -- nay 
required -- to seek medical attention, simply because the Torah 
commands us to. I.e. the medicines, healing techniques, and ability 
to use them, are all ultimately from G-d too. The Talmud therefore 
goes on to communicate a grave warning to those who arrogantly see 
themselves as the healers, rather than as G-d's agents to heal.

Our task then is to view all medicinal techniques as tools, provided 
by G-d, enabling us to serve Him in wellness and to see His divine 
providence as humankind is empowered to rectify, or "heal," Creation. 
Rather than being distracted, the search for a cure is an especially 
ripe time for building the faith so necessary to arouse benevolence 
from the most supernal healer, G-d.

Given this general principle, Judaism doesn't prefer one healing 
agent or the other. One should put his trust in G-d and follow the 
advice of medical experts. If and when a particular method of healing 
raises noteworthy suspicion, a proper Halachic authority should be consulted.

As with all medicine, one must also determine whether a particular 
remedy is, or needs to be, Kosher.




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