Anatomy

Is it a mitzvah to learn about anatomy? Would it be a mitzvah if you are learning about the human body to gain an understanding of how it works with intention of helping others e.g. as part of a health related uni degree. I have asked a Rabbi this before and they did not agree but I see it as potentially fulfilling mitzvot. Would the individual times you do this be fulfilling something or is it more the overarching act or only when you obtain degree/practising. King regards

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The Rambam writes in Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah 2:2 that studying and appreciating G-d's wisdom with which he created the natural world brings one to love of G-d and to be in awe of Him.

Therefore, if one's intention in studying science is to appreciate the wisdom of the Creator, then science becomes a mitzvah.

So too, the Chovos Halevovos in Shaar Habechinah says that is a Mitzvah to study the world, plants, animals, and humans, in order to see the great Wisdom of Hashem. He brings several verses in Tanach and Talmud to support this. 

See the shulchan Aruch Siman 131 this is a quote:
שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות ברכת הפירות סימן רלא
וכן בשיחה, אפי' לספר בדברי חכמה צריך שתהיה כונתו לעבודת הבורא או לדבר המביא לעבודתו. כללו של דבר, חייב אדם לשום עיניו ולבו על דרכיו ולשקול כל מעשיו במאזני שכלו, וכשרואה דבר שיביא לידי עבודת הבורא יתברך יעשהו, ואם לאו לא יעשהו; ומי שנוהג כן, עובד את בוראו תמיד. 

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