#152 - Jewish Physicians III – Ottoman Vignettes and Halachic Questions feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz

2025-02-13

In Eastern Europe quacks and soothsayers were in abundance, as were invented remedies whilst the Ottoman Empire provided refuge from Spain but came with its own risk. But do the best doctors end up in Hell according to Jewish tradition? Can one give a vaccine that also kills people? And may one smoke on Shabbos to perform better surgery? Chapters 00:00 The Landscape of Medical Practice in 18th Century Russia 02:55 The Role of Jewish Physicians in Europe 05:52 The Influence of Jewish Medical Practitioners in the Ottoman ...

In Eastern Europe quacks and soothsayers were in abundance, as were invented remedies whilst the Ottoman Empire provided refuge from Spain but came with its own risk.

But do the best doctors end up in Hell according to Jewish tradition? Can one give a vaccine that also kills people? And may one smoke on Shabbos to perform better surgery?

Chapters

00:00 The Landscape of Medical Practice in 18th Century Russia

02:55 The Role of Jewish Physicians in Europe

05:52 The Influence of Jewish Medical Practitioners in the Ottoman Empire

12:08 Challenges Faced by Jewish Physicians in France and Germany

18:00 The Ethical Dilemmas of Medical Practice

27:04 Reflections on the Medical Profession and Its Perception

27:50 The Weight of Medical Decisions

28:47 Personal Anecdotes and Cultural Reflections

32:31 Halachic Insights in Medical Practice

34:23 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine

40:12 The Role of Transparency in Medical Decisions