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Could we broaden Hayyim Angel's second question to discuss in general what
we do with all sorts of statements in the Gemara that ring strange to our
ears? Are they to be explained in some historical context, or do they
contain some kind of timeless supra-scientific truth?
Yael
[As early subscribers to this list recall, there was some discussion of
this topic early on when the issue of Talmudic medicines was raised. This
is an opportunity to mention our website again, that will, among other
things, allow access to the list archives. Nevertheless, as the list has
several hundred more readers now than it did then, we welcome
contributions on this subject. Shalom]</HTML>
