Sickness and Cure

How does antivenom work?

In Parshas Chukas, when Bnei Yisrael look at the copper snake, they are healed. Snake venom is made up of poisons that damage the body. Each snake has a different “recipe,” but all venoms spread through the body to hurt cells. Today, when someone is bitten by a poisonous snake, doctors use antivenom, which is made by giving tiny amounts of venom to an animal. The animal’s immune system makes antibodies to fight the venom, which doctors collect and purify. When a person is bitten, these antibodies are injected into their blood, where they find the venom and block it from causing harm. Just as the snake reminded Bnei Yisrael to look to Hashem for healing, antivenom reminds us of how Hashem can turn dangerous venom into a way to heal.