King Chizkiyah and the Book of Cures

KING CHIZKIYAH AND THE BOOK OF CURES

The Gemara (Berachos 10b) says that King Chizkiyah was praised for hiding the Book of Cures.

What is the Book of Cures ספר רפואות?

1. A book consulted by people who were ill that describes the healing properties of various combinations of herbs and grasses.
2. The Rambam explains that the Book of Cures was used by astrologers to heal illnesses through placing certain images or carvings in certain places at certain times. (The Rambam refers to it by its Greek name, "Talisman").
3. Rabbi Bachya (Shmos 15,25) suggests that HaShem made these cures known to test whether people would rely on the “natural” remedies, or recognize HaShem as the Healer.
4. A book of healing based on saying various pesukim, which is not allowed according to the Gemara (Shavuos 15b). Thus, the King hide the book.

Who wrote the Book of Cures?

1. King Shlomo wrote it to teach the wonders of the natural world, but he did not intend it to be used in practice. (R”I from Luniel; Ramban, Radak, Rashbam)
2. Book of magical healing by an astrologer of lore. (Rambam)
3. Noach brought vegetation onto the Ark but was not sure how to take care of the vegetation. So, an angel took one of Noach’s sons to Gan Eden to learn how to care for the vegetation and about the healing powers of plant life, and this son wrote the book of Cures. (Tashbatz)
4. After the Mabul, this knowledge was passed to Noach by the angel Raphael. (Otzer haMedrashim)
5. After leaving Gan Eden, an angel taught Adom haRishon in order to survive. (Medrash Reuveni)
6. Moshe was taught by HaShem and then taught the Jews in the desert details about the vegetation they would encounter in the desert, which plants had therapeutic value, which were poisonous, etc. (Rabeinu Bachya)

Why did Chizkiyah hide it?

1. Rashi (DH she'Ganaz) says that he hid the Book of Cures to effectively force the Jews to rely solely on HaShem for their healing and to pray for mercy from Him, and not to rely on the Book of Cures. Then, in time of danger. Chizkiyah begged HaShem to cure him (measure for measure per Abarbanel) in the merit of hiding the book (Maharal)
2. The Rambam (Perush ha'Mishnayos to Pesachim, end of chapter 4) strongly opposes Rashi's explanation. He maintains that the use of natural means of healing does not detract in any way from one's reliance on the Almighty. He compares it to depriving a starving man of food in order to force him to pray to HaShem for food. A person using natural remedies will still rely on HaShem's mercy for his health because it is HaShem Who makes those remedies work. Rather, Chizkiyah hid it when he saw people using it for idolatrous purposes.
3. Alternatively, the Rambam says that the Book of Cures listed both antidotes and poisons, and people began using the poisons described in the book instead of using only the antidotes. Rashi may agree that there is nothing wrong with the use of natural remedies. The Book of Cures may have recorded cures based on alternative medicines, which appeared to the layman to be related to witchcraft. Those who used the book, Chizkiyah feared, would come to believe that they could circumvent nature and rely on magical cures, and not on HaShem's assistance, and their reliance on HaShem would be diminished.