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A tad bit of history. I have to run out now, but
if anyone wants more I can provide them with an endless supply
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The Bible introduces three rudiments of healthful existence: rest,
cleanliness, and prophylaxis. The weekly rest-day was unique to Judaic precepts. Cecil Roth quotes \"the great
medical historian, Karl Sudhoff: ‘Had Judaism given nothing more to mankind than the establishment of a weekly day
of rest, we should still be forced to proclaim her one of the greatest benefactors of humanity.’\"1
Physical
purity (cleanliness) is placed on a par with spiritual purity. David’s supplication to God, \"Wash me thoroughly
from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Ps. 51:4), is one of a myriad of references to the concept of washing
to achieve purity. An admonition to the sinner is a Divine imperative. \"For though thou wash thee with nitre, and
take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me\" (Jer. 2:22). A Jew could not enter the temple without
bathing if he had done anything to render him impure. A bath had to be taken daily before reading the Law (Torah);
both of which were prescribed for every Jew.
Cleanliness was but part of ancient Judaic prophylactic practices.
The concept of contagion was likewise integral to biblical medical intelligence. Hygienic laws of impurity after
touching a corpse, or of those affected with diseases like gonorrhea or leprosy, required a thorough washing with
nitre or other caustic soaps.
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If you do not believe this, just watch the toothbrush episode of Seinfeld!!
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