Healing

Searching for meaning or solace in a time of sickness or pain? Here we offer Jewish insights and rituals, both traditional and contemporary, for those in need of healing.

To access the CLAL Healing Archive, click here.

Praying for Healing

What can we say when we join together formally to pray for one who is sick? What can we say at a board or committee meeting, at services or in any group setting when we become aware of those people who can not be with us because they are sick?

Meditation

El na refa na lah.
Please God, bring healing.

Ritual

When you become aware of a member of your community who is ill, share this prayer of healing and commit to learn what specific ways you may be of help.

Blessing

Mi-sheberakh avoteinu v’imoteinu, Avraham v’Sarah, Yitzhak v’Rivkah, Ya’akov, Rachel v’Leah hu y’varekh et (insert names here) v’yavi aleihem refuat hanefesh u’refuat haguf yachad im kol cholei amo Yisrael. Barukh atah Hashem, rofeh ha’cholim.

May the One who was a source of blessing for our ancestors, bring blessings of healing upon (insert names here), a healing of body and a healing of spirit. May those in whose care they are entrusted be gifted with wisdom and skill, and those who surround them be gifted with love and trust, openness and support in their care. And may they be healed along with all those who are in need. Blessed are You, Source of healing.

Teaching

Mi sheberakh avoteinu mekor habrakha l’imoteinu

May the Source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
To make our lives a blessing,
And let us say: Amen.

Mi sheberakh imoteinu mekor habrakha l’avoteinu

Bless those in need of healing With refuah shleima:

The renewal of body,
The renewal of spirit,
And let us say: Amen

(Debbie Friedman)

Ki el melekh rofeh ne’eman v’rachaman atah. Barukh atah Hashem rofeh cholei amo yisrael.

For you are the faithful and merciful God of healing. Praised are You, Healer of Your people Israel.

(Morning Amidah, Siddur)

(CLAL Faculty)