Mi Sheberach: The Jewish Prayer for Healing

Mi Sheberach ('May the One who blessed') is a prayer asking for God's blessing, most commonly recited for those who are ill. The prayer invokes the merit of our ancestors and asks God to send complete healing - refuah shleimah - to the person named. It's traditionally recited during the Torah service, connecting the power of Torah to the prayer for healing. The congregation responds 'Amen' to add their prayers.

Mi Sheberach for the sick is typically recited on Shabbat and holidays during the Torah reading, and on Mondays and Thursdays when the Torah is read. Many synagogues have a specific time for it, often after the Torah reading before returning the scroll to the ark. Some recite it for each person called to the Torah (aliyah). It can also be said privately at any time when praying for someone's recovery.

When requesting a Mi Sheberach, provide the Hebrew name of the ill person along with their mother's Hebrew name (e.g., 'Yosef ben Sarah'). Using the mother's name is the tradition for healing prayers. If the Hebrew name isn't known, the English name can be used. Many synagogues maintain a Mi Sheberach list - contact the office or gabbai to add names. Some communities also read names submitted online or by phone.

The Mi Sheberach begins: 'May the One who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless and heal [name] son/daughter of [mother's name].' It continues asking God to strengthen and heal them, body and spirit, among all who are ill, and concludes 'speedily and soon, and let us say Amen.' Different communities have varying texts, some longer and some shorter.

The prayer asks for 'refuah shleimah' - complete healing - which traditionally means both physical and spiritual healing ('refuat hanefesh u'refuat haguf'). Judaism recognizes that illness affects the whole person, not just the body. The prayer acknowledges that ultimate healing comes from God, while still encouraging seeking medical treatment. We pray for the patient's strength, comfort, and full restoration to health.

While the healing Mi Sheberach is most well-known, there are Mi Sheberach prayers for many occasions: for those called to the Torah, for newborn babies, for soldiers, for travelers, for new mothers, and more. Each asks for God's blessing for the specific situation. The format - invoking ancestral merit and asking for blessing - is adapted for various needs in Jewish life.