Hello,
You seem to be referring to a New Testament episode. In John 9, Jesus
heals a blind man in the manner you mention. For that, he is
castigated by the Pharisees for violating the Sabbath.
Source: "The Gospel According to Saint John 9,"
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/joh009.htm.
Jewish law prevents healing on the Sabbath except to save lives. For example:
--Tractate Shabbath, Folio 109a of the Babylonian Talmud, says that
since leaves have no healing properties, they can be applied to
oneself on the Sabbath.
--The Mishnah at Tractate Shabbath, Folio 111a, says you can't sip
vinegar to cure a toothache on the Sabbath, which leads to a Gemara
discussion about when the consumption of vinegar is OK on the Sabbath.
--Folio 18a of the tractate says that eye salve can be applied before
the beginning of Sabbath even if it stays on during the Sabbath.
--Folio 107 says you cannot "manipulate an abcess" on the Sabbath.
Tractate Shabbath of the Talmud is available from Come and Hear at
(http://www.come-and-hear.com/shabbath/index.html)
It should be noted that Jewish authorities today generally give
doctors broad authority to work on the Sabbath.
I hope this answer meets your needs. If not, please request clarification.
Search strategy:
Talmud healing sabbath
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=active&q=Talmud+healing+sabbath
blind healing spittle
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=active&q=blind+spittle+healing |
Clarification of Answer by
mwalcoff-ga
on
15 Jul 2004 11:45 PDT
And here is another example, from the Mishnah (22:6):
YOU MUST NOT GO DOWN TO A WRESTLING GROUND, OR INDUCE VOMITING, OR
STRAIGHTEN AN INFANT['S LIMBS], OR SET A BROKEN BONE. IF ONE'S HAND
OR FOOT IS DISLOCATED, HE MUST NOT AGITATE IT VIOLENTLY IN COLD WATER
BUT MAY BATHE IT IN THE USUAL WAY, AND IF IT HEALS, IT HEALS.
This can be found on Folio 147a
(http://www.come-and-hear.com/shabbath/shabbath_147.html)
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Request for Answer Clarification by
wsternberg-ga
on
15 Jul 2004 23:55 PDT
Hello mwalcoff-ga
Thanks for your reply - I'm really sorry, but anything except the real
reference to "not healing blind on the sabbath *by spittle*" will not
help me.
Yes, of course, I was coming from John 9.
I appreciate your comments, but was already aware that there may be a
large number of texts relating to healing on the sabbath in general.
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Clarification of Answer by
mwalcoff-ga
on
16 Jul 2004 04:11 PDT
OK. I'll do some more research.
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Clarification of Answer by
mwalcoff-ga
on
16 Jul 2004 04:21 PDT
In the Talmud, Tractate Shabbath, Folio 108, the rabbis discuss a
prohibition on using saliva to heal eyes. The tractate does not
specifically mention blindness or spitting on the ground.
Are you sure the exact prohibition exists? If so, I can talk to some
people who know a lot more about Jewish law than I do.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
wsternberg-ga
on
27 Jul 2004 01:28 PDT
Hello
I think it must exist since I was told about it from a knowledgeable
teacher who just unfortunately didn't have the exact reference.
Would be glad if you could find out more.
Thanks!
W.v.Ungern-Sternberg
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Clarification of Answer by
mwalcoff-ga
on
28 Jul 2004 05:30 PDT
OK, I'll see what I can do.
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Clarification of Answer by
mwalcoff-ga
on
06 Aug 2004 07:25 PDT
I just want to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I
posted a message on the Usenet board soc.culture.jewish.moderated
requesting assistance with your question, but no one came forth with a
citation (although several people discussed interesting points about
Jewish law, the Sabbath and medicine). I'm now going to e-mail a
friend who should be able to get confirmation for you that what you're
looking for is or is not in standard Jewish law texts.
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Request for Answer Clarification by
wsternberg-ga
on
06 Aug 2004 08:46 PDT
Thanks for the hint with the usenet group, I'm looking forward to hear
what you or your friend find out.
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