Monday, February 24, 2014

Orot Israel College’s Briah School Hosts Complementary Medicine Conference

By Sarah Bar Asher – Founder and Head, Briah School for Complementary Medicine, Orot Israel College

Crate after crate of organic eggs, sourdough bread, medicinal herbs, and natural cosmetics filled the lobby of Orot Israel College’s graduate studies building. The reason for all the healthy goodness? Orot’s Briah School was hosting its inaugural conference on complementary medicine.
Briah, which opened in the fall, invited the public to learn about the world of complementary medicine. The conference encompassed five lectures on a wide range of topics, and the attendees were offered a variety of delicious and healthy snacks, including dates, baked pretzels, mineral water, and tea.

Rav Professor Neria Guttel, President of Orot Israel College, greeted the attendees and spoke about a physician’s right to heal, based on the words: "וְרַפֹּא יְרַפֵּא" (“and he shall provide for his healing” – Shmot 21:19). Next, Mrs. Sarah Bar Asher, Briah’s founder and head, focused on the food industry and nutrition. Her talk revolved around questions such as: Are the ingredient lists on food labels complete? Is low-sodium salt healthy, or is it the worst type of salt on the market? Why do the spices used in restaurants and hotels undergo radiation? Mrs. Anat Felmon reviewed the basic principles of Chinese medicine, and Mrs. Adi Yogev explained how medicinal herbs can be used to treat children’s winter illnesses. Dr. Eli Topper examined classic and modern homeopathy, and Mr. Avraham Dahan discussed cinnamon and how it was used by Jewish physicians from the Talmudic era through the Middle Ages.

At the conference’s conclusion, the participants raised their glasses and enjoyed a special wine prepared by Mr. Avraham Dahan, according to an ancient recipe attributed to Ezra HaSofer.

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