How do we respond in the face of physical or mental illness? Jewish tradition is full of examples of people reaching out in prayer or pausing to meditate on their wishes for a full recovery. Sometimes these requests are highly personal, as our lives are rocked by the illness of a family member or friend.
In a dramatic Biblical moment, Miriam, Moses' older sister, is stricken with leprosy after making negative comments about her brother's wife. Moses never responds to her unkind words, but he does reach out to God and beg for healing, with just a few heartfelt words:
- Think of the last time you paused for a moment to wish for healing for someone else. What words came to mind in that moment to express that hope?
- Debbie Friedman chose to compose a song to ask for healing. When Moses prays for his sister, he "cries out." What words might describe you in your neediest moments? Is it a cry, a song, or something else?
Even when those in our inner circle are healthy, we may be moved to express our wishes for the well-being of our community, our city, or our world, especially when we know that so many are suffering.
The Amidah, or prayer of silent devotion, forms the core of the daily prayer service. One of the blessings is a wish for healing, framed in the plural. We pray not only for ourselves, but for all "those in need of healing," as the song says:
רְפָאֵנוּ ה' וְנֵרָפֵא. הושִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה כִּי תְהִלָּתֵנוּ אָתָּה. וְהַעֲלֵה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל מַכּותֵינוּ.
Heal us, O Lord, and we shall be healed, save us and we shall be saved, for You are our praise. Bring complete healing to all our wounds,
- Why might we healing on a daily basis, even if we aren't personally aware of anyone who is ill?
- What might it feel like to include ourselves in that prayer, and ask for healing for "us" even if we don't experience ourselves as suffering from an illness?