Issachar Bär Teller’s Teller’s Beʼer Mayim ḥayim (1655) and the History of Early Yiddish Health Manuals

Key Points

• The aim is to explore the historical significance of early Yiddish health manuals, particularly Issachar Bär Teller’s work.
• Analyzed the content and context of Beʼer Mayim ḥayim published in 1655.
• Explored the target audience of the manual, especially those unable to access conventional medical care.
• Reviewed various written sources that informed Teller's compilation.
• Identified that the manual served as a crucial healthcare resource for Jews lacking access to physicians.
• Highlighted Teller’s dual role as both a barber-surgeon and author, providing practical and experiential insights.
• Demonstrated how this health manual reflects the socioeconomic conditions of Jewish rural communities in the 17th century.

Abstract