Health and  Illness 

בריאות ומחלה

Engaging in Torah study is a remedy. It is both a preventive remedy and a treatment and cure for maladies.  

Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Concerning one who engages in Torah study, afflictions distance themselves from him. 

One who feels pain in his head should engage in Torah study, as it is stated concerning the Torah: “For they will be a graceful adornment for your head” (Proverbs 1:9). One who feels pain in his throat should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And necklaces for your neck” (Proverbs 1:9). One who feels pain in his intestines should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “It will be healing for your navel” (Proverbs 3:8). One who feels pain in his bones should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And an elixir for your bones” (Proverbs 3:8). One who feels pain in his entire body should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And healing for all his flesh” (Proverbs 4:22). 

Rav Yehuda son of Rabbi Hiyya said: Come and see that the ways of flesh and blood are not like the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He. The way of flesh and blood is that when a person gives a potion to another, it is good for this ailment but it is harmful for that other ailment. But the way of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not so. He gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and it is a potion of life for one’s entire body, as it is stated: “And healing for all his flesh.” <source>(<i>Berakhot</i> 5a; <i>Eiruvin</i> 54a) </source>