We often wonder how it is that the Chinese, Indians, Persians, Greeks, and Arabs have traditional herbal medicine, while we Jews do not. Could it be possible? This question echoed and remained open for many generations, and it also occupied the author. This question was the beginning of a research journey, a kind of wonderful and fascinating magical journey that lasted about fifteen years and culminated in the publication of the Encyclopedia of the Talmud of Plants.
This encyclopedia is the first of its kind in the world, making accessible to the reader the story of ancient Jewish herbal medicine. Through the plants, the reader will feel as if they are on a journey back in time to vibrant and fascinating regions of the past, to ancient practical scientific medicine, and to Jewish doctors who made their mark in their lands during antiquity. The beginning of this agricultural knowledge and herbal heritage developed over about six hundred years from the time of the settlement of the tribes in the Land of Israel, ending with the conquest of the Kingdom of Israel by Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, and the exile of the Ten Tribes in 722 BCE to the vast regions of the great Assyrian Empire. This ancient herbal science changed and renewed itself following the events of the Jewish diaspora’s travels and wanderings over 2,700 years of exile until the modern era.
The encyclopedia contains one hundred and eighty selected botanical entries divided into five sections: medicinal plants, spices, incense, the seven species, and fruit trees. In each entry, thousands of fragments of information have been collected and combined from the Jewish bookshelf and ancient medical writings, revealing for the first time surprising prescriptions and ancient recipes that can help us all adopt principles of nutrition and preventive medicine.
The author, Avraham Dahan, a Chabad Hasid, is an expert lecturer and researcher of Jewish ethnobotany. He served as the head of project teams in the department of medicinal, spice, and perfume plants at the Volcani Center’s Agricultural Research Organization in Neve Ya’ar. He embarked on this research journey in 2008 out of personal intellectual curiosity and a great thirst for knowledge, intertwined with his love for nature and the plant world of the Land of Israel. His curiosity and thirst for knowledge were harmoniously woven into a deep spiritual experience for this mission, influenced by the Bible and the foundational texts of Chassidism, the Tanya. Under the strong influence of the founder of Chabad Hasidism, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and the Chabad Rebbes, the author envisioned a mission to restore ancient Jewish herbal medicine to the center stage of ancient multicultural medicines and to the heart of the popular and academic Israeli public experience. This vision was realized through the writing of the Encyclopedia of the Talmud of Plants, numerous lectures delivered to diverse audiences, and the establishment of the Bustan: The Talmud of Plants at the Mizpe Hayamim farm in the Upper Galilee, where medicinal, spice, and perfume plants were planted and cultivated, offering visitors an immersive learning experience of ancient Jewish medicine.
The delivery arrived today, and the encyclopedia is beyond all imagination! With a brief look and quick flip through, my wife and I are amazed at the amount of information and wisdom contained in one book! We are excited and recognize the extensive knowledge and effort required to bring all this incredible and endless content into a single volume. We have already found several plants and remedies that we will start making and using.
Thank you both so much for this wonderful creation! May God bless you with good health, strength, joy of life, and satisfaction.
We can't wait to visit you.
Thank you very much, and may we all illuminate the world with generosity and love. Wishing you a good and blessed year for us and all of Israel.
Hello,
A week ago, I received the treasure... the Encyclopedia of Talmudic Plants by ethnobotanical researcher Abraham Dahan.
This is a very interesting, enriching, and useful encyclopedia. Beyond learning about medicinal plants and spices, their properties, and their applications in the kitchen and everyday life,
I was very drawn to the magical aspect surrounding the incense ritual.
The reading has greatly enriched me and expanded my knowledge and understanding.
I will also add that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took upon myself to recite the incense ritual (a charm against pandemics) twice a day, and since reading the book on this part, my understanding of the subject has deepened, and the importance of this prayer has increased thanks to the knowledge I gained from reading.
Abraham explains each component of the incense, how it is related to emotions in the soul, and how it affects the soul. And of course, all the properties of the component itself, botanical properties, prescriptions, recipes, natural pharmacy.
I must mention that as an M.D., I apply this rich information in treating my patients and, of course, promote natural healing!
The book is highly recommended and very enriching!
Ahead of the Tishrei holidays, I acquired the Encyclopedia of Talmudic Plants by Abraham and Leah Dahan.
From ancient times to our days.
Today, I paused at the chapter on Desert Hyssop.
In each chapter, you can learn about the evolution of the plant's name and its uses from ancient times, from the biblical period to the modern era.
From Asaph the Physician, Maimonides, and other rabbis who engaged in medicine.
The encyclopedia is accompanied by practical recipes. A voluminous book that includes plants, spices, incense, the seven species, and fruit trees. A wealth of knowledge and happiness.
I embarked on a journey equipped with reading glasses.
I received this treasure trove of knowledge two days ago.
A beautiful encyclopedia, wisely edited with 3 colored bookmarks to ease the reader.
The vast knowledge of Abraham Dahan is well known; here, we get everything in a clear and beautiful manner.
Thank you.
A book that is a revolutionary life project! Finally, ancient, relevant, vibrant, and local Jewish Hebrew medicine is beginning to be revealed and remains pertinent to our times. Abraham has worked for years on a comprehensive, in-depth, practical, and fascinating encyclopedia that one can dive into and endlessly learn about herbal medicine. A wealth of practical formulations, ancient and innovative knowledge, recipes, plants, resins, fruits, and seeds... and above all, it is a local and global announcement and a true return to simple, local roots for a healthy, natural, and sustainable lifestyle. A gift for every home and a must-have book for plant lovers!
Thank you, Abraham, for this life's work.