“Take two and call me in the morning,” I say as I hand two handmade matzahs to my longtime patients, Isaac and Joelle Zimbalist. They laugh, understanding the deeper message.
For me, being a doctor isn’t just about treating symptoms — it’s about nurturing the whole person, body and soul.
For over twenty years, I’ve been blessed to serve the Miami Beach community as a physician. I’m board-certified in both internal and geriatric medicine, and I currently practice at the Mount Sinai Medical Complex. But more than titles and credentials, I see my role as something far more personal: a “Rofeh Yedid” — a doctor you can consider a friend. That’s the spirit I try to bring to every appointment.
What makes my approach unique is that I don’t separate medicine from meaning. I believe that true healing happens when we care for the body and the soul together. That’s why each week, I offer Torah classes online for my patients, colleagues, and even hospital staff. In these classes, I draw from the teachings of the Torah, the Rambam (Maimonides), and the Lubavitcher Rebbe to show how mitzvah observance, spiritual growth, and awareness of Hashem can uplift our physical health.
Around Passover, I love bringing the holiday’s message into my medical practice. I remind my patients, especially seniors, that “freedom from slavery” doesn’t just mean what happened in Egypt. It means freeing ourselves from habits that keep us stuck, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually. It’s never too late to change.
That’s where the matzah comes in. I don’t just talk about it — I personally give each patient two handmade matzahs before the holiday. Why? Because matzah, in its simplicity, is powerful. It’s called the “bread of healing.” To me, it symbolizes slowing down, simplifying life, and reconnecting with who we really are deep inside. That’s the first step toward real healing.
Over the years, I’ve been humbled by the kind words of patients and the growing community of people who resonate with this approach. I truly believe that the most effective form of medicine might just come with a side of Torah, a sprinkle of hope, and yes — a little bit of matzah.
Amiel Levin is a geriatrician.
