User:ShirelF/Abraham Ofir Shemesh

Abraham Ofir Shemesh (born 1966 in Israel) is an associate professor in the Department of Jewish Heritage at Ariel University of Samaria and formerly the chairman of the department (2017-2020). Shemesh specializes in ancient material culture and the history of nature and medicine in Jewish literature, in particular in the Middle Ages and the early modern period.

Biography
Shemesh was raised in Tel Aviv and Holon. He studied and was educated at Midrashiat Noam in Pardes Hanna. In 1984 he began his studies at Yeshivat Kerem be-Yavneh. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat medic in the “Samson” unit (367). After finishing his studies at the Hesder yeshiva, he continued to study in the Kollel of Yeshivat Kerem be-Yavneh until 1990. At age 24 he was ordained as a rabbi by the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht, and completed his academic degree in pedagogy and education at Moreshet Yaacov seminar in Rehovot. Over the years he served in two rabbinical positions. For 22 years he served as military chaplain (captain) in the 890th Battalion, within the 35th Brigade (IDF). He has also served as a communal rabbi (at the “Israel Chai synagogue”) in Yakir for 15 years.

Academic career
Abraham Ofir Shemesh began his studies in the Department of Land of Israel Studies and the Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University in 1991 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1993 (magna cum laude). Due to his outstanding performance, he continued in the direct track to a Ph.D and wrote his doctoral thesis at the Bar Ilan University Martin Szusz Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archeology. The topic of his doctoral thesis was blessings recited on food in rabbinical literature in the last five hundred years (since the discovery of America), a field of interest that combines botany, history, and rabbinical literature. His academic work was guided by Prof. Yehuda Feliks from the Botany Department and Land of Israel Studies Department and Dr. Meir Rafeld from the Talmud Department, and he received his Ph.D in 2001. Over the course of his academic career, Shemesh has won several research scholarships and prestigious awards, such as from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture (MFJC), the Schupf Fellowship for the most outstanding Ph.D student of Bar Ilan University's Faculty of Jewish Studies, Stiftung Irene Bollag-Herzheimer, Basel, and Beit Shalom Foundation, Kyoto, Japan. Over the years Shemesh has taught at various academic institutions in Israel. In 1995 he began teaching at the College of Judea and Samaria, which later became Ariel University of Samaria. He also taught in The Department of Geography and Environment at Bar Ilan University, the Department of Education at Herzog College, the Department of Science at the Talpiot College of Education, and the Department of Education at the Givat Washington Academic College of Education. In 2014, Shemesh took a sabbatical and was research fellow in The Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies of Yeshiva University in New York. Prof. Shemesh serves as a member of the editorial board of two scientific journals – the European Journal of Science and Theology and the Moreshet Israel Journal.

Research Areas and Research Methods
The research of Prof. Shemesh focuses on several scientific domains: the history of animals and plants; ethnobotany and ethnozoology; medicine and pharmacy (materia medica) in rabbinical literature; food and nutrition according to Jewish texts; ecology and environment in Judaism; ancient reality; botany and zoology in rabbinical literature. Shemesh’s research approach is multidisciplinary and combines diverse fields of knowledge and research methods, mainly Jewish and general literature, history, and life sciences (botany and zoology). His studies primarily explore texts from the Talmudic and medieval eras, and they are innovative for their synthesis of different disciplines, contributing to a more thorough understanding of the ancient world. As part of his work, he combines texts from diverse literary genres, for example Talmud, Midrash, exegesis) biblical interpretation(, Jewish law, Responsa, prayer books, historical chronicles, folklore, nature, geography, and travel diaries. Shemesh's work is characterized by a critical analysis of the text, alongside examination of the various aspects of the subject under consideration, in the assumption that a broad and interdisciplinary perspective may yield deeper insights. In many of his studies, he emphasizes the necessity to be familiar with the organism under study and, on the other hand, the affinity of the rabbinical sages with the world of general science. Prof. Shemesh believes that the material basis for rabbinical discussions, both in the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods and in the Middle Ages, is botanical and zoological information found in the non-Jewish popular or intellectual environment. Shemesh makes use of Greek and Roman literature, the writings of Arab scholars in the Middle Ages, as well as the Bestiary literature of the Christians in Medieval Europe.

The Cuisine and Nutrition of the Jews from the Perspective of Rabbinical Literature
Abraham Ofir Shemesh's first study in the field of the history of food and nutrition began with his doctoral dissertation, in which he traced the impact of historical events on food and nutrition in the general world and on Jewish cuisine, and especially on the halachic discussions of rabbinical authorities. The historical effects he examined are those of the discovery of America and the introduction of new agricultural crops throughout the Old World, the expulsion of Jews from Spain and the relocation of Jewish communities to areas of different phytogeographical and nutritional nature, as well as the changes that emerged in crops and food due to agricultural and technological modernity. Extended results of the study were published in a book by the Ariel University Press in 2014. In a series of other articles, Shemesh dealt with a variety of issues related to the intersection of food, botanical and nutritional views, and the Jewish world. For instance, the attitude of sages to truffles and mushrooms as unusual crops, the botanical and agricultural context of the prohibition against eating legumes on Passover in the Middle Ages, which Shemesh claims is related to the view that species of grains 'change' to legumes, as well as dietary views among medieval rabbis regarding eating vegetables and fruit. Another study devoted to the history of the foodstuffs in Jewish communities examined components of the diet of Yemenite Jews, with an emphasis on sorghum bread and local fruits, such as sycamore, prickly pear cactus, and jujube. Shemesh showed that Yemenite Jews were unique in their agricultural crops, food culture, and method of halakhic rulings, compared to the Jews of Eastern and European Western Europe.

Medicine and Pharmacology in the Middle Ages and Modern Times
One of the central themes of Prof. Shemesh's scientific research, especially in the last decade, is medicine and pharmacy in the writings of Jewish physicians and rabbis, particularly in the Middle Ages and the modern era. In this field, he has published a variety of articles as well as a large-scale book published by the Bar-Ilan University Press (2013), which documents approximately 400 medicinal substances derived from the human body, plants, animals, and minerals.

Prof. Shemesh has published several studies on Maimonides' medical activity, such as his views on nutrition, the impact of medicine in his medical, halakhic, and commentary writings, and the medical practices he offered for maintaining mental health. Another study on medical-sociological and halachic aspects was devoted to the interaction between Jews and non-Jews in the field of medicine. Shemesh showed that even though the sages of the Mishna had reservations about healing non-Jews or receiving their medical services, in the context of the hostility and animosity that prevailed between Jews and pagan society, historical reality shows that, in practice, Jews did not refrain from healing or being treated by non-Jewish healers, and halachic permits are even found. Much of Shemesh's scientific work has been devoted to discussions on medicine and halakha, which have practical implications for modern religious life. Regarding the kashruth )legitimacy( of medicines discussed in the literature of the Geonim and the Responsa, he noted the tension between Jewish law that restricts the use of non-kosher substances and the recognition of the value of the sanctity of life and saving lives. In other studies, he discusses the attitude and considerations of halakic authorities regarding the use of opium or how they cope with the consequences of failed medical treatment using this substance, as well as the question of permission to cure using occult practices. Some of Shemesh’s articles in the field of medicine and halakha have been published as part of the Schlesinger Institute for Medical-Halachic Research, which operates within the framework of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Additional studies have been devoted to the discussions of medieval rabbis and physicians on several diseases and health deficiencies. A study conducted in collaboration with Dr. Efraim Nissan of Goldsmiths, University of London, dealt with melancholy, its portrayal in historical sources, and the ways in which it was treated, as well as the attitude of non-Jews to melancholy as a "Jewish disease." Shemesh’s discussion on diphtheria (in Talmudic literature: ascara or sronchi) showed that the disease was perceived by the Talmudic sages as a talion punishment )lex talionis) for religious offenses and he also pointed out ways in which they tried to prevent or treat it, albeit unsuccessfully. His research has also dealt with syphilis (the 'French disease') in the halakhic literature as grounds for divorce, and other medical problems, such as hernia and kidney stones in halakhic contexts. In the field of the history of diseases, Prof. Shemesh proposed a preliminary template of a multilingual dictionary of the names of diseases and health defects documented in rabbinic writings from Eastern and European countries.

Plants and Animals in the Midrash Literature and Medieval Biblical Commentaries
Prof. Shemesh's research activities include a discussion of the role of animals and plants in the lives and cultural world of the ancients. On this issue he has written several articles dealing with the identification of plants, their description, properties, uses, and the views and beliefs attributed to them. The subject of the identification of plants and animals occupies a significant place in his studies, since according to his approach it is the basis for understanding ancient texts dealing with nature and agriculture. Shemesh has engaged in the identification of plants in the context of biblical translations, midrash literature, and medieval commentaries. He pointed out that the identification of biblical plants by the Midrashic sages is interpretive, however it also has theological-ethical meaning. His research on medieval and modern commentaries on the Jewish Holy Scriptures focused on Rashi (11th century), the Persian translation of Rabbi Joseph Barbie Moses (14th century), and the activity of the Christian priest Henry Baker Tristram (19th century) on identifying biblical plants.

Prof. Shemesh's discussions on the history of animals are devoted to their identification and their role in culture, religion, and daily life in biblical literature, in rabbinical sources, and in medieval works. Among others, he dealt with the identification of the biblical koreh (Jeremiah 17:1) and the bardelas in the literature of the sages, as well as the attitude of Jewish law to the breeding of dogs and the damages they cause, while comparing the rabbinic law with Roman law. Other studies have focused on animals that, in the view of Jewish and non-Jewish scholars, were perceived as having unusual features. For example, the hyena that changes its sex from male to female, the ostrich which some doubted whether it is considered a fowl, or the fact that the rabbit was perceived as a species that has only females. In these studies, Shemesh pointed out the origins of these views in the physiology and anatomy of these animals as well as in classical literature and writings of the Middle Ages.

Other studies by Shemesh deal with mythological animals in Talmudic and Midrashic literature, such as the phoenix, unicorns, and the mythological oryx. Shemesh pointed out the influence of European zoological literature (bestiaries) and Arabic sources (Kitāb al-Ḥayawān) in the Middle Ages on Jewish commentaries, as well as the tendency of medieval commentators to identify contemporary material and cultural elements with phenomena mentioned in the Bible. Shemesh’s historical studies also examined cultural and economic phenomena related to animals, such as the practice of observing bird flight in order to predict the future (ornithomancy), the use of ostrich eggs as a symbolic-ornamental element in synagogues in Israel and in the diaspora, and the commercial activity of Jews in the monkey trade in Algiers during the Middle Ages.

Scents, Perfumes, and Incense in Jewish Culture
One of Shemesh's later projects dealt with the analysis of issues from the religious, cultural, and sociological aspects of the Jewish world with regard to scents, perfumes, and incense. Among the phenomena he uncovered are the view that a pleasant body odor reflects sexual morality, the attribution of scents and perfumes to the human soul and heaven, the belief in the vital power of incense, and the place of perfumes in Jewish rituals. The results of this study were published in his book (Bar Ilan University Press, 2017). As part of his writing on odors and perfumes, Shemesh also conducted a systematic and comprehensive survey of aromatic substances (of plant or animal origin) mentioned in Jewish sources in connection with the blessings on scents.

Ecology and Environment in Israel's Heritage
Issues of environment and sustainability occupy a significant place in modern society and scientific research. Prof. Shemesh, who attaches great importance to environmental awareness and ecological education, has developed a unique course on the subject of 'Judaism and the Environment' in collaboration with the Heschel Center for Sustainability, which has been taught in several academic institutions in Israel. As part of his scientific writing, he published studies on the attitude of Jewish sources to flora, fauna, and the environment, such as the treatment of garbage during the Mishnah and Talmud period. Historical research on plant ecology discusses traditions from the time of the sages that tell of the destruction of vegetation around Jerusalem during the siege of the city by the Romans during the Great Revolt (66-70 CE). In another study on the prohibition to cut down fruit trees, Shemesh showed that since the time of the Talmud, destroying fruit trees took on a mystical meaning and rabbis emphasized the danger to the life of a person who cuts down a tree.

Some of Prof. Shemesh's discussions on ecology and Judaism deal with later periods, such as a study he published on Rabbi Kook's involvement in environmental regulations in the Second Aliyah colonies. Regarding animals, Shemesh conducted a comparative study on the attitude of Jewish, Indian, and Muslim sources towards small and harmful creatures (invertebrates, reptiles, rodents). The results of the study pointed to views and arguments shared by Judaism and Islam that attempt to medically or theologically justify the existence of these creatures, and even to see them as beneficial for mankind and for the environment.

Realia and Material Culture
One of Shemesh's early studies was devoted to the discussion of natural resources used to make soaps and detergents from antiquity to modern times. The study presents approximately 20 ancient detergents, describes how they were used, and examines the chemical composition of some of them. Another study dealt with the identification of wicks and combustion materials mentioned in rabbinical literature and in post-Talmudic writings in connection with the lighting of the Sabbath candles. His other studies dealt with the use of human skin for preparation of objects and for magical purposes, the materials used to make crowns for grooms and brides in Greco-Roman and rabbinical sources, as well as the method of hunting by using birds of prey (falconry) in medieval France according to the Jewish commentary on the Bible.

Books

 * A. O. Shemesh, “The Fragrance of the Field”: Scents from the Plant and Animal World in the Literature of the Blessings: Material Culture, 7History and Jewish Law, Bar Ilan University Press, Ramat Gan 2021, 356 pp. (Hebrew)


 * A. O. Shemesh, "The Fragrant of Paradise": Smells, Perfumes and Incense in Jewish Tradition, Bar Ilan University Press, Ramat Gan 2017, 352 pp. (Hebrew)


 * A. O. Shemesh, Medical Materials in Medieval and Modern Jewish Literature: Pharmacology, History and Halakha, Bar Ilan University Press, Ramat Gan 2013, 655 pp. (Hebrew)


 * A. O. Shemesh, Plants, Nourishments and Ways of Eating in Blessings Literature: 1492-2000, Ariel University Press, Ariel 2014, 552 pp. (Hebrew)

Selected scientific articles

 * A. O. Shemesh, “Biology in Rabbinic Literature: Fact and Folklore”, in: S. Safrai and others (eds.) Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum (CRINT): The Literature of the Sages, Part 2, Amsterdam: Royal Van Gorcum, Fortress Press, 2006, pp. 509-519
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Deceits and Forgeries in Ancient Food Industry According to Rabbinical Literature: Reality and Legal Aspects”, Jewish Law Association Studies, XVIII (2008): 244-262
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Medical Relationships between Jews and non-Jews in the Ottoman Empire in Pre-Modern Times according to Rabbinic Literature: Halakha and Reality”, in: B. D. Cooperman & Z. Zohar (Eds.), Jews and Muslims in the Islamic World, Maryland: University Press of Maryland, 2013, pp. 303-320
 * A. O. Shemesh, “And this Reason has a Justification”: Medieval Scientific Argument for the Custom against Eating Legumes on Passover”, European Journal of Jewish Studies, 9[2] (2015): 154-175
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Planting Eucalyptus Trees in the New Settlements in Nineteenth to Twentieth-Century Palestine as Reflected in Rabbinic Documents”, Modern Judaism, 36[1] (2016): 83-99
 * A. O. Shemesh, “There is no concern of prohibition against their trade: A responsum by Rashbatz on the trade in monkeys practiced by Algerian Jews in the middle ages", HTS Teologiese Studies-Theological Studies, 74[1] (2018). (online)
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Who Tells the Raven or the Crane What Will Happen? : The Biblical Prohibition of Divination Using Birds in Classical and Medieval Jewish Literature”, Journal for the Study of Religion Nature and Culture, 12[2] (2018): 201-224
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Holiness, War, and Peace: Ancient Jewish Traditions Concerning the Landscape and Ecology of Jerusalem and Its Environs in the Second Temple Period”, Religions, 9[8] (2018) (online)
 * A. O. Shemesh, “For the public's improvement and for the benefit of the town: Correspondence between Rabbi Kuk and residents of the moshavot in Eretz Israel on ecological and environmental matters”, Modern Judaism, 38[1] (2018): 44-74
 * A. O. Shemesh, “‘Ostrich is a Fowl for any Matter': The ostrich as a 'strange' fowl in Jewish literature”, HTS Teologiese Studies-Theological Studies, 74[1] (2018) (online)
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Medieval Muslim Cuisine as A Real-Life Foundation for the Meat and Milk Prohibition in Ibn Ezra's Biblical Commentary”, Religions, 9[6] (2018) (online)
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Two responsa of R. Samson Morpurgo on non-kosher medicines: Therapy vs. Jewish Halakic Principles”, Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 18[52] (2019): 3-16
 * A. O. Shemesh, “”The Rabbis Maintained that it was Flaxseed": The Identification and Interpretation of Unidentified Biblical Plants in Aggadic Homilies”, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 49[3] (2019): 156-168
 * A. O. Shemesh, "'The son of a bird': Post-biblical Jewish traditions on using ornithomancy in the Midianite war against the Israelites (Num. 25:17-18)”, Religious Studies and Theology, 39[1] (2020): 38-56
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Half Flesh and Half Earth Creature in Classical Rabbinic Literature”, European Journal of Science and Theology, 16[1] (2020): 1-9
 * A. O. Shemesh, “The Scent of the Righteous vs. the Scent of the Wicked: Body Odor as a Social Indicator of Morality in Rabbinic Literature”, Review of Rabbinic Judaism, 23[2] (2020), pp. 165-182
 * A. O. Shemesh, “Producing fire and hybrids as seen by the Midrash Aggadah: Polemic etiological myths?”, Studies in Religion-Sciences Religieuses, 50[2] (2020), pp. 210-236
 * A. O. Shemesh, “The household snake: Detection and eradication of pests in the home by means of snakes, as reflected in Talmudic sources”, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 3 (2022), pp. 1-13

External link
Professor Abraham Ofir Shemesh in Ariel University Website

A list of articles written by Abraham Ofir Shemesh in RAMBI - Index of Articles on Jewish Studies

Books of Abraham Ofir Shemesh in Bar Ilan University Press

Publication of Ofir Shemesh in The National Library of Israel

Abraham Ofir Shemesh in JSTOR