The fact that gemstones have healing properties is rooted in the Bible. In Exodus 39:10-14 it lists 12 gemstones that were to be placed in the breastplate the high priest in the Temple, each stone corresponding to a son of Jacob. The Kabbalists (e.g. Rabbeinu Bachya (1255-1340), on Exodus 28:15) teach that based on what we know about the life of each of those sons, we can derive what the healing powers of each respective stone are. In this episode, we go through each stone and its healing properties. (The English definitions of the stones come the research of the Italian physician Abraham Portaleone (d. 1612, a student of Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu haKohen of Izmir), in his book Shlatte Giborim, which I learned of from Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutch from the Living Torah museum in Brooklyn, New York.)
In Summary:
1) Ruby (Reuben)- Strength, energy, and healthy pregnancy
2) Topaz (Shimon)- Cools the body, calm
3) Emerald (Levi)- Insight, wisdom, ability to self-express
4) Garnet (Yehuda)- Self-confidence, enemies run from you
5) Sapphire (Yissachar)- Heals eye-sight (inc. third eye), pain, swelling, depression
6) Diamond (Zevulun)- Helps with sleep
7) Opal (Dan)- Creativity/ vision
8) Agate (Naftali)- Balance, protection from plague
9) Amethyst (Gad)- Courage and strength of mind
10) Beryl (Asher)- Digestion, wisdom and understanding
11) Onyx (Joseph)- Attractive to others
12) Jasper (Benjamin)- Good reputation
