Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the danger of uncovered water, which might contain venom from a snake. The question arises: If so, how do gentiles who don’t follow these precautions not regularly die from such exposure?
The answer:
“They eat repugnant creatures and creeping animals, which heat their bodies and thereby render them less susceptible to the venom.”
The sages believed that non-kosher food created bodily heat that neutralized venom.
Tosafos (ibid) raises a contradiction from Shabbos (86b), where the Gemara says Jews are more anxious due to fear of sin, and this internal heat causes quicker breakdown of substances. Tosafos resolves the contradiction, affirming both claims, but subject to different circumstances which we will not get into right now.
Jewish humor often depicts the anxious, neurotic Jew. But is there truth to this stereotype?
A study suggests Jewish males are more prone to depression than their non-Jewish peers:
“While no differences were found among females, Jewish males had significantly higher rates of major depression…” (Levav, Kohn, et al., Am J Psychiatry, 1997)
Why men? Perhaps not just because of more mitzvah obligations—most Jews today aren’t observant—but maybe due to an inherited cultural and epigenetic scrupulosity.
Shem MiShmuel (Pinchas 3) asks how the Gemara can make a blanket biological claim when many Jews were not religious. He quotes his father’s answer: Deep within the Jewish soul lies a yearning for Torah and mitzvos. Even if dormant, it generates anxiety and spiritual tension. This “Jewish anxiety” may be a legacy of moral responsibility—an uncomfortable truth for the modern secular Jew.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
Free resource for couples/families:
Over 80 lectures on heathy communication, marriage and sexuality from a Torah perspective Click here
If you liked this, you might enjoy my Relationship Communications Guide. Click on the link above.
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com