Biblical and Talmudic microbes

Abstract

Microbiology is the study of organisms that cannot be viewed with the unaided or naked eye, but rather they must be viewed through a microscope. This category of organisms is rather broad and includes bacteria, algae, protozoa, and yeasts, which are types of fungus. Viruses are acellular and, although not considered to be life forms, are usually included in the study of microbiology. Some varieties of microorganisms are actually macroscopic and can be seen without the use of a microscope. Examples are filamentous fungi, which include mushrooms and truffles, and some multicellular algae. Microscopic life forms were first recognized by Antony van Leeuwenhoek, who developed a simple compound microscope and reported the existence of protozoa in 1674 and bacteria in 1676. Thus, there is no mention of microbes in Ta’nach or in the Talmud. Mushrooms and truffles, however, are noted in the Talmud.