When someone you care about is sick or facing a tough diagnosis, it’s easy to feel helpless. You want to do something—anything—to help. In Jewish tradition, one of the oldest and most beautiful ways to offer support is through a Hebrew prayer for the sick. For centuries, families and communities have gathered to lift up loved ones in need of healing, using ancient words that carry hope, comfort, and a deep sense of connection.
You don’t have to speak perfect Hebrew or even be Jewish to offer these prayers. Whether you’re at a hospital bedside, lighting a candle at home, or just wishing for healing from afar, these words invite us all to hope, to comfort, and to believe that we are never truly alone in illness or in worry.
The Tradition of Praying for the Sick
Jewish prayers for healing—sometimes called “prayers for the sick” or, in Hebrew, tefillah l’cholim—have deep roots. The most well-known is the Mi Shebeirach (“May the One Who Blessed”), which asks God to send healing, strength, and renewal to those in need. This prayer is often recited in synagogue during services, but it’s also said at home, in hospitals, and by anyone who wants to reach out in faith for themselves or someone else.
The power of these prayers doesn’t just come from the words themselves, but from the love and intention behind them. When you say a prayer for the sick, you’re joining with thousands of years of tradition—and with countless others around the world—sending hope and comfort wherever it’s needed most.
The Mi Shebeirach: The Central Hebrew Prayer for Healing
The Mi Shebeirach is the heart of Jewish prayers for healing. Traditionally, the person leading the prayer will say the name of the sick person, along with their mother’s Hebrew name (if known), as a way of “lifting them up” in front of the community and before God. This ancient custom connects us across generations and reminds us that no one faces illness alone.
The Mi Shebeirach (Hebrew, Transliteration, and English)
Below you’ll find the most commonly used version of the Mi Shebeirach:
Hebrew:
מי שברך אבותינו אברהם יצחק ויעקב, שרה רבקה רחל ולאה, הוא יברך וירפא את החולה [שם החולה בן/בת שם האם] בתוך שאר חולי ישראל. ברוך אתה ה׳, רופא חולי עמו ישראל.
Transliteration:
Mi shebeirach avoteinu Avraham, Yitzchak v’Yaakov, imoteinu Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel v’Leah, hu yivarech v’yirapei et hacholeh [Name] ben/bat [Mother’s Name] b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. Baruch Atah Adonai, rofei cholei amo Yisrael.
English Translation:
May the One who blessed our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless and heal [Name], child of [Mother’s Name], along with all who are ill. Blessed are You, Adonai, Healer of the sick among Your people Israel.
You can personalize the prayer by saying the name of the person who needs healing, for example: “Moshe ben Miriam” or “Sarah bat Leah.” If you don’t know the mother’s Hebrew name, just use their given name.
When and How to Say the Prayer
There’s no wrong time to offer a prayer for the sick. In Jewish tradition, the Mi Shebeirach is often recited:
- During synagogue services (especially on Shabbat, after the Torah reading)
- At home, before meals, or before bedtime
- By hospital bedsides, hospice rooms, or in waiting rooms
- Whenever you learn of a friend or loved one in need of healing
Many families keep a list of names to mention each week. Some light a candle before praying, or add their own words—sharing their fears, hopes, or thanks. The most important thing is to pray with sincerity and intention.
Additional Prayers and Blessings for Healing
Besides the Mi Shebeirach, there are many other beautiful Hebrew and English prayers you can use. Here are a few examples:
Short Hebrew Blessing for Healing
רְפָאֵנוּ ה’ וְנֵרָפֵא, הוֹשִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה, כִּי תְהִלָּתֵנוּ אָתָּה.
Transliteration: Refa’einu Adonai v’neirafei, hoshi’einu v’nivashe’ah, ki tehilatenu Atah.
Translation: Heal us, Adonai, and we shall be healed. Save us, and we shall be saved, for You are our praise.
Prayer for Comfort and Strength
May God grant you courage in the face of illness, comfort in moments of pain, and strength for each new day. May the Holy One bring healing to your body, mind, and spirit, and surround you with love and peace.
How to Create a Healing Ritual at Home
You don’t have to be at synagogue to offer a powerful prayer for healing. Here are a few ideas for making your own healing ritual at home:
- Light a candle: Candles are a traditional symbol of hope, presence, and peace.
- Say the Mi Shebeirach: Use Hebrew, English, or both. Speak the name(s) of those who need healing.
- Add your own words: Share your worries, hopes, and thanks out loud.
- Play or sing a healing song: Many synagogues sing the Mi Shebeirach set to beautiful music, especially the melody by Debbie Friedman. You can find recordings online and sing along.
- Invite others to join: Praying with family or friends—by phone, video, or in person—multiplies the comfort and hope.
Comfort for Those Who Are Sick and Their Families
Illness doesn’t just affect the person who’s sick—it ripples out to families, friends, and whole communities. Jewish prayers for healing often mention “all who are ill,” reminding us that no one faces sickness alone. If you’re caring for someone, or struggling to find hope, these words are for you, too.
God, please grant strength and comfort to those who care for the sick. Give patience, compassion, and wisdom to doctors, nurses, and all who offer help. Bless our family with hope and courage as we walk this journey together.
Why Names Matter in the Mi Shebeirach
Traditionally, the Mi Shebeirach includes the sick person’s name and their mother’s name, as in “Avraham ben Sarah.” Why? In Jewish mysticism, a mother’s love is seen as the purest, most direct line to God’s compassion. Even if you don’t know the Hebrew names, using the names you have is enough. What matters is the intention and the love.
Prayers for Healing in Times of Crisis or Pandemic
When illness strikes whole communities—as in times of epidemic or pandemic—many people offer the Mi Shebeirach for groups, cities, or the world. Here’s a version for wider use:
May the One who blessed our ancestors bring healing to all who are ill in this time of crisis. Grant strength to caregivers, wisdom to leaders, and comfort to the grieving. Spread a shelter of peace over our world, and let us be partners in bringing hope, health, and healing to all.
Jewish Perspectives on Healing: Body, Mind, and Spirit
In Judaism, healing isn’t just about curing the body. It includes the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Sometimes the greatest healing is a sense of peace, the ability to face each day, or the support of loving friends and family. Prayer for the sick is about more than just asking for a miracle—it’s about holding each other close, even across distance, and never giving up hope.
For Non-Jews: Joining in Hebrew Prayers for Healing
You don’t have to be Jewish to say the Mi Shebeirach or use a Hebrew prayer for the sick. Many people of all backgrounds find comfort in these words. If you want, simply adapt the prayer—using English, including your own traditions, or inviting others to share their prayers for healing. What matters most is the intention and the care.
Scriptures and Sayings for Hope and Healing
- “Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” – Jeremiah 17:14
- “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29
- “May the Lord bless you and protect you.” – Numbers 6:24
- “This too shall pass.” – Traditional Jewish saying
Closing: A Blessing for All Who Seek Healing
May the Holy One, source of all healing, bring health to those who are ill, strength to those who care for them, and peace to all hearts in need. May we soon see a time of wholeness, comfort, and renewed hope. Amen.
Final Words: You Are Not Alone
Illness can be lonely, frightening, and overwhelming. But every prayer, every whisper of hope, every candle lit and every kind word brings light into the darkness. Whether you use Hebrew words, English, or your own language, may your prayers bring comfort, courage, and healing to you and those you love. And may you always know—no matter what comes—you are never truly alone.
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