The Torah View of Mental Illness: Sin or Sickness?

Publication Date: June 1977

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): Marvin Wikler

Research Area: Culture and religion; Health

Keywords: Mental Health; Jewish Text; Values; Jewish Law (Halacha)

Type: Other

Abstract:

The author, an Orthodox Jew and a practicing mental health professional, examines the Tanakh (Hebrew bible), Talmud (Oral Law) and various rabbinic writings in order to ascertain the Torah's view of mental illness as it relates to sin. The author concludes that the Torah does not view mental illness either as sin alone nor as sickness alone; rather, the Torah has a complex and multi-faceted conception of mental illness, including situations in which mental illness causes sin, situations in which sin causes mental illness, and other situations.

In Journal of Jewish Communal Service, ed. by Sanford Sherman, v.53, no.4, June 1977, p.339-344.