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Derech Hateva 2016.Pub Derech HaTeva A Journal of Torah and Science A Publication of Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women Volume 20 2015-2016 Editor-In-Chief Allison Tawil Co-Editors Sima Grossman | Elana Perlow | Rebecca van Bemmelen Cover Design Miriam Rosenblum Layout Design Shmuel Ormianer Printing Advanced Copy Center, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Acknowledgements The editors of this year’s volume would like to thank Dr. Harvey Babich for the time and effort that he puts into this journal. As Dr. Babich continues to inspire many of the aspiring scientists at Stern, he reminds us that a Torah lesson can be applied to almost anything, which is the key idea of the journal, Derech HaTeva. Dr. Babich, thank you for encouraging all of us to be the best we can be and for helping each of us to exceed our respective goals. Publication of volume 20 was possible, in part, due to the generosity of the following donors: Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Babich Dr. and Mrs. Eliot Ghatan [Ghatan Foundation] Dr. and Mrs. Richard Grazi Rabbi Dr. and Mrs. Edward Reichman Dr. and Mrs. Richard Schwimmer Mr. and Mrs. Morris Rosenthal Rabbi and Mrs. Baruch Solnica Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Solomowitz Torah Activities Council YU Undergraduate Admissions We thank you for making this opportunity possible. Allison Tawil Sima Grossman Elana Perlow Rebecca van Bemmelen Dedication We dedicate this 20th volume of Derech HaTeva: A Journal of Torah and Science in memory of the beloved Henny Machlis a”h, a graduate of Stern College for Women and a true eishet chayil. Henny died at the age of 58 on October 16, 2015/Cheshvan 3, 5776. After obtaining a B.S. in education and a Hebrew teaching degree from Yeshiva University, she moved on to studying dietetics at Brooklyn College. The greatest trait that stands out when remem- bering Rebbetzin Machlis is her open home and even more, her open heart. The Machlis family would prepare Shabbos meals to feed around 100 guests each week. Even when she was sick and stuck in the hospital, Henny continued to give. Her attachment to the midah of chessed is portrayed by the following incredible story. A relative came to visit Henny at Sloan- Kettering and discovered the Rebbetzin wrapped in a hospital blanket, wan- dering in the hallway. It turned out that a destitute woman had come to visit Henny, and without hesitation she gave up her hospital bed so this woman could have a comfortable nap. She lived a life of wisdom and of kindness, as it says in Mishlei 31:26 - “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” May the memory of Rebbetzin Henny Machlis provide us with in- spiration to relate to Hashem’s world with wisdom and kindness just as she had done during her life. “Do you not know - if you have not heard - an everlasting God is the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth; He neither tires nor wearies; there is no fathoming His understanding” (Yeshayahu 40:28) Table of contents Brocha Brooks, My Son/Daughter, the Doctor ……………………...………….………....……. 11 Emily Chase, The Science of Longevity in the Bible …………………..………………………….. 12 Tehila Feinberg, Infertility in the Torah: The Halachic Discussion of Treatment ………………….. 17 Tamar Fishweicher, Watch Your Step: Our Rabbi’s Warning Against a Change in Lifestyle ………. 19 Merav Gold, Cleopatra’s Children’s Chromosomes: A Halachic Biological Debate ………………… 21 Yael Horvath, Tips for a Healthy and Meaningful Fast …………………………………………. 23 Yardena Katz, Of Public Baths and Military Latrines: Public Health and Halakha ………………... 24 Chava Kaufman, “I’m Orthodox Jewish & single, can I freeze my eggs?” An Analysis of Halachic Issues Related to Oocyte Preservation ………………………………….. 27 Doreen Khakshour, Apples: From Holidays to Every Day ……………………………………… 30 Tamar Landsman, An Analysis of Eating Disorders in the Jewish World ………………………… 33 Yonina Loskove, Anesthesia through the Ages …....…………………………………………….. 35 Daniella Marcus, “Kosher” Salt: A Study of Jewish Cultural Risk Factors for Cancer ……………… 37 Dafna Meyers, Red Meat: Is it Worth the Risk? ……....………………………………………… 39 Rachel Mirsky, The Makeup of Makeup ………………………………………………………. 42 Elana Perlow, Allocation of Limited Resources ………………………………………………….. 44 Hannah Piskun, That Which Cannot Be Seen: Microorganisms and Judaism ……………………… 47 Tamar Shiller, A Tooth for a Tooth: Not So Easy for Cohanim ………………………………….. 49 Nora Shokrian, The “Tooth” of the Matter …………………………………………………….. 51 Rachel Siegel, Jacob’s Epigenetics: Spare the Rod or Spoil the Flock ………………………………. 53 Tehilla Sollofe, Veterinary Medicine in the Talmud ……………………………………………... 56 Allison Tawil, Biblical Pi ……………………………………………………………………. 58 Rebecca van Bemmelen, Reflection: The Sun’s Rays and Man’s Ways ………………………….. 62 Adina Wakschlag, A Halachic Analysis of Science and DNA Profiling in Orthodox Jewish Life …… 65 Leah Zerbib, Gastrointestinal Ailments of Priests ……………………………………………….. 70 Dr. H. Babich, Ancient Pathologies with Current Medical Diagnoses: “There is Nothing New Under the Sun” …………………………………...……. 72 By Brocha My Son/Daughter, the Doctor Brooks The typical Jewish mother in mid-twentieth century Maimonides. In his commentary to the Mishna, America is thought to have been inordinately proud when Maimonides interprets the commandment written in she was able to introduce her child as “my son, the Deuteronomy 22:1 obligating the return of lost objects to doctor.” Of all the white-collar professions, why has their owners as referring to health as well as physical medicine become so esteemed by Jews? Did this outlook property [3]. When a physician helps heal a patient, the on medicine change over time, or was the field always physician is returning the “lost” health to its “owner,” the respected? When looking back through Jewish history, one ill person. finds that as a nation, not only have Jews always valued the What is often viewed as the final stop on the journey medical field, they have also contributed greatly to its towards practical applications of the Torah and Talmud is development. the more recent category of scholars who have codified the When exploring the Jewish outlook on any subject, one laws contained in these works and their details in separate must first refer to the Torah, the primary and ultimate texts. It is safe to say that the Shulchan Aruch is the one source of all legal and ethical views in Judaism. When such text to which all others turn when researching a seeking the Torah’s view of medicine, one must first turn particular topic. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 336) to what is probably the most widely referenced passage declares that not only did the Torah give permission for relating to this subject, which is found in Exodus (21:19), the physician to heal, but it is his/her religious obligation “virapo yirapey - and he shall cause him to be thoroughly to do so. The Shulchan Aruch includes the act of healing in healed.” According to Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, this the commandment to save an endangered life. Because passage means that one who causes bodily harm to another Judaism values each moment of life, saving a life overrides person is required to pay the physician’s fees necessary to many other commandments [4]. Therefore, a physician is heal the victim. This indicates that the Torah must constantly performing acts which are considered generally require one to who is ill to utilize available meritorious in Judaism. medical services. Otherwise, the Torah would not assume In order to properly understand the manner in which that a victim will seek medical help for which the Jewish law views medicine, one must trace its attitude “attacker” would be obligated to pay [1]. towards medicine throughout Jewish history. This is As is always the case when following the path of the achieved by starting with the original source in Torah, and development of Jewish law and belief, one must next turn then tracing it through the Talmud, the earlier to the Talmud for its interpretations and comments on the commentaries from the first half of the second millennium Torah and general Jewish thought. When exploring the and to the later compilers of practical Jewish law in the Talmud’s references to medicine, numerous sources latter half of the second millennium. When doing so, one regarding the medical field and its practitioners are noted. encounters an overwhelmingly positive outlook on the One significant incident mentioned in the Talmud field and practice of medicine. As healing the ill and saving (Shabbos 82a) occurred when Rav Huna encouraged his a life is greatly valued, it is easy to understand the pride of a son, Rabbah, to study under the tutelage of Rav Chisda, Jewish parent when a child has devoted his or her life to who was known for inserting health tips into his Torah medicine. lectures. Though Rabbah was very reluctant at first, eventually he became so enamored by Rav Chisda’s style that he too began commenting on various aspects of Acknowledgements medical science (Gittin 69a). [2] Thank you Dr. Harvey Babich and Rabbi Dr. Richard The next stage in the development of Jewish law and belief Weiss for assisting with identifying sources and Rabbi is the commentaries on the Torah and Talmud by Jewish Aaron Cohen for reviewing the article. A special thank you scholars who lived in approximately the eleventh to to my parents for their constant ongoing support regarding sixteenth centuries. Perhaps the most famous Jewish my education and otherwise. scholar and physician, even among non-Jews, was Bibliography [1] Eisenberg, D. (1995). The mandate to heal, Aish [3] Gesundheit, B. (2011). Maimonides’ appreciation for HaTorah. (http://www.aish.com/ci/ medicine. Rambam Maimonides Med. J. 2:1-8. be/48881967.html (retrieved February 8, 2016). [4] Rosner, F. (2002). The Jewish view of healing. Cancer [2] Shapiro, N. (1988). Rav Huna’s views on medicine and Invest.
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