Source: chazin.com
On the desk of my children physician stays a glass support with the words of the Birkat HaRofeh, the doctor's prayer. Having many doctors in the family myself, I know how important is the role of the physician in one's life. For centuries, we relied on science not on superstition, developping permanently the methods aimed to cure and save lives.
Praising Gd for creating the human body, this blessing replaced the Hippocrat Oath in some medical schools in Israel. For a successful doctor, this is an usual gift from a healthy ex-patient. When someone finishes the medical school, a piece of art with harofeh is a common gift.
The origin of this birkat harofeh is not very clear somehow. Traditionally, it is attributed to Rambam (Maimonides). However, recent researches assumed a much more recent date, attributing the birkat to Dr. Markus Herz, a German pupil of Kant and a friend of Moses Mendelssohn. Before him, there were other authors of the physicians's prayer, such as Asaph Harofeh (in the 6th century). Rabbi Judah Halevi, Jacob Zahalon or Abraham Zacutus. However, the current version appeared in print in a German version from 1783, with the first Hebrew version available only in 1790. The English version was published only in 1841.
Understanding the history is always important for understanding ourselves. More information about this mysterious bracha can eventually shed more light on the history of Jewish medicine as well.
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