The image of the insane in ancient Jewish lore

This article considers the attitude towards the insane and insanity in ancient Jewish sources. In the Bible, the most famous case of a psychopathological personality is that of King Saul, who was plagued by 'an evil spirit'. Saul also raises the problematic connections between prophecy and frenzy. Madness and confusion of mind are mentioned among the biblical 'curses for disobedience'. In the Talmud, there is a detailed symptomatic evaluation of insanity, in the context of legal liability. It is well-known that some individuals are at times insane, otherwise sane and responsible, which is legally taken into careful consideration. The Jewish historian Josephus describes in his works several cases of psychiatric patients. The most impressive case is that of Jesus ben Ananias, a delirious maniac who announced the fall of Jerusalem while roaming about the streets of the city. It may be argued that no clear attitude of derision or ostracism towards insane patients can be found in ancient Jewish literature. 'The Lord preserves the fools' (Ps 116: 6).