Where is 'Vitamin D' mentioned in the Torah?

Here is a riddle: Where is ‘Vitamin D’ Mentioned in the Torah?

In this week’s portion of the Torah, Vayishlach, we read about the famous battle between Jacob and the angel of Esav. This wrestling match lasted throughout the night with the two opponents locked in a head-to-head competition. As dawn approached, Jacob’s nemesis took a cheap shot below the belt dislocating Jacob’s hip. As a result, we are told that Jacob began to limp. The verse in Genesis 32:32 reads, “…and the sun shone for him.” Rashi, the classical 10th century commentary, asks what do the words “for him” mean. When the sun shines is it not shining ‘for everyone’?! He answers by telling us that the sun had a specific benefit “for him” and that was to heal his hip. So here you have a musculoskeletal injury being healed by the rays of the sun. We know that Vitamin D is manufactured by the interaction between the skin and sunlight. And, of course, the main role of vitamin D is to increase absorption of calcium in the digestive tract. Could this section of the Torah be an allusion to the wonderful healing mechanisms that G-d has implanted in the natural world? Besides its well known role in bone support, Vitamin D is becoming an all-star nutrient for cancer prevention, strokes, and autoimmune disorder, like multiple sclerosis.

The sun has been a recognized source of health and healing throughout the Jewish tradition. In the book of Malachi, it is written, “a sun of charity, with healing on its wings.” There is ancient midrash that tells us that Abraham used to wear an amulet around his neck. Anyone who was infirmed could look at this charm and be healed of his sickness. What happened to this amulet after Avraham died? The midrash answers, after Avraham’s death, G-d hung the amulet around the neck of the sun.

We are told that the light that illuminated the world during the six days of creation was removed from the world. The sun is only a minute fraction of this original light. According to the Jewish description of the messianic times, this divine light will return to the world once again for us to enjoy. Can you imagine, if the sun contains such incredible powers to heal, what the ‘original light’ will be able to do? In the merit of Chanukah, whose theme is the revelation of light in the midst of the darkness, let this time come soon. AMEN.