Asaf the Physician: The Jewish Doctor Who Preceded the Rambam (Maimonides)

The First Jewish Medical Textbook

Long before Maimonides (the Rambam) became the most famous Jewish physician in history, another remarkable Jewish doctor made his mark. Asaf ben Berechiah, known as Asaf the Physician, lived in Tiberias and authored one of the earliest known medical texts written in Hebrew. His influence was so enduring that a major Israeli hospital near Lod, Asaf HaRofeh, bears his name.

Asaf’s book was more than just a guide to medicine. It was a deeply Jewish response to pagan healing practices. Written in simple, accessible Hebrew, his goal was to demystify medical knowledge and explain the logic of diagnosis and healing. He warned against consulting superstitious or irrational healers and emphasized that understanding illness is the first step to treating it properly.

A Jewish Oath and Compassionate Healing

Asaf also laid the groundwork for what would become Jewish medical ethics. While the Greek physician Hippocrates formulated a famous physician’s oath, it was rooted in idol worship. Asaf countered with a Jewish version: an oath to the Creator to preserve life and heal with integrity. Remarkably, his version also included a pledge not to perform abortions, though sadly, this clause is no longer part of the modern medical oath.

One of the most touching aspects of Asaf’s work is a special section devoted to the poor. Aware that not everyone could afford expensive remedies, he compiled a chapter of alternative treatments using natural ingredients made from plants native to the Land of Israel and substances derived from animals. While he acknowledged these were sometimes less effective than expensive medicines, he believed they could still save lives. His compassion and creativity made healing accessible to all, regardless of financial means.

A Legacy That Endures

Asaf the Physician championed preventive medical care centuries before the Rambam would famously systematize it in Mishneh Torah. He taught that illness rarely appears without cause and that proper diet, hygiene, and lifestyle choices can ward off disease.

Though Asaf lived around 400 years before Maimonides, his pioneering spirit, ethical clarity, and deep compassion established the foundation of Jewish medical tradition that continues to guide Jewish thought on health and healing today.