Jewish Prayer for the Sick

Illness is one of life’s hardest journeys—not just for the person who is sick, but for everyone who loves them. When a friend, family member, or even a stranger is facing pain, uncertainty, or a tough diagnosis, it’s natural to want to do something. In Jewish tradition, that “something” often begins with prayer. The Jewish prayer for the sick is a beautiful and ancient way to bring comfort, hope, and community into even the most difficult days.

You don’t need to be a rabbi, know Hebrew by heart, or even be Jewish to participate in these prayers. Healing prayers are an invitation: to speak from the heart, to gather loved ones together, and to hold on to hope—sometimes when it’s hardest to find. Whether you’re sitting by a hospital bed, lighting a candle at home, or joining a synagogue service online, these words help remind us that no one is ever truly alone.

The Heart of Jewish Prayers for Healing

If you’ve spent any time in a synagogue, you may have heard the Mi Shebeirach—the central Jewish prayer for healing. It’s recited at nearly every Shabbat and holiday service, often after reading from the Torah, but also at home, in hospitals, and even at community gatherings. The Mi Shebeirach dates back hundreds of years, but its message is always timely: asking God for healing, comfort, strength, and a sense of being held close.

The Mi Shebeirach is traditionally said for individuals by name. You can pray for a friend, a family member, or anyone in need of healing—physical, emotional, or spiritual. In times of widespread illness, it’s also offered for whole communities, cities, or the world. Saying the names of those you’re praying for makes the prayer even more personal and powerful.

The Mi Shebeirach: Hebrew, Transliteration, and English

Here’s the Mi Shebeirach, the best-known Jewish prayer for the sick, with each part so anyone can follow along:

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:

When and How to Say the Jewish Prayer for the Sick

There’s no wrong time to pray for healing. Here are a few traditional and modern ways to include this prayer in your life:

During synagogue services—often after the Torah reading on Shabbat or holidays
At home, before meals, at bedtime, or whenever you hear someone is ill
By the bedside of someone who is sick, whether at home, in the hospital, or in hospice
With family or friends, in person or over the phone/video call
At community vigils, support groups, or online gatherings

You can light a candle before you pray, play a recording of a healing song (many love Debbie Friedman’s Mi Shebeirach), or simply pause, close your eyes, and speak the words with your heart. There is no single “right” way—sincerity is what matters most.

Other Jewish Prayers and Blessings for Healing

The Mi Shebeirach is the most well-known, but there are other beautiful Jewish prayers for the sick. Here are a few more you might find meaningful:

Short Healing Blessing from the Amidah

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.

Blessing for Caregivers

May the One who brings healing grant strength, patience, and wisdom to all who care for the sick, and may their kindness be a blessing for all.

Personal Prayer for Strength

God, please grant courage and comfort to those who are ill, and help us all to find hope and support in times of struggle.

Healing Rituals for Home and Community

Many families create simple healing rituals to support loved ones. Here are some ideas you can use or adapt:

Light a candle for hope and healing
Say the Mi Shebeirach aloud, naming everyone you wish to bless
Play healing music—sing along or just listen quietly
Invite others to join, in person or virtually, to multiply the prayers and comfort
Share stories or memories of the person who is ill, offering love and connection

Jewish tradition also encourages acts of kindness, visiting the sick (bikur cholim), sending cards, bringing food, or simply checking in by phone. All these acts are their own kind of prayer.

Comfort for the Family and Community

Illness doesn’t just touch one person—it affects the whole family and the wider community. Jewish prayers for healing often mention “all who are ill,” reminding us to keep others in mind, too. If you’re supporting a loved one, here’s a prayer for caregivers and families:

God of compassion, strengthen those who give care and comfort to the sick. Give them patience, gentleness, and resilience. May our whole community be a source of hope and healing.

Why Include the Mother’s Name?

In the Mi Shebeirach, it’s traditional to say the name of the person who is ill and their mother’s name. This practice draws from ancient Jewish mysticism, where a mother’s love is seen as the purest channel to God’s mercy. If you don’t know the mother’s name, use the name you do have. The intent is what matters.

Jewish Wisdom: Healing in Body, Mind, and Spirit

In Judaism, healing is about much more than just physical recovery. It means wholeness—of body, mind, and spirit. Sometimes the greatest miracle is not a cure, but a sense of peace, the strength to endure, or the presence of loved ones through the journey. The Jewish prayer for the sick is a reminder to support each other, to never give up hope, and to honor every small step toward comfort and connection.

Prayers for Times of Widespread Illness

When a community, city, or the whole world faces illness (like during a pandemic), it’s common to offer the Mi Shebeirach for everyone in need. Here’s a version for collective healing:

Stories of Hope and the Power of Community Prayer

Over and over, people share stories of how prayers—said in a hospital room, whispered at home, or spoken by strangers around the world—brought a sense of calm, hope, and connection. Sometimes the healing is physical, sometimes it’s emotional, and sometimes it’s just the comfort of knowing others care. In Jewish tradition, every prayer, no matter how small, is valuable and heard.

For Non-Jews: Sharing in Jewish Prayers for Healing

You don’t have to be Jewish to say these prayers. Many people of all backgrounds join in, offering words in Hebrew, English, or whatever language feels right. The most important thing is your love, your intention, and your willingness to bring hope and comfort to someone who needs it.

Biblical Verses for Healing and Strength

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.” – Jeremiah 17:14
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” – Psalm 34:18
“May the Lord bless you and protect you.” – Numbers 6:24
“God will strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” – Psalm 31:25

Closing Blessing for Healing

May the Holy One bless all who are ill with healing of body and spirit, courage for every day, and peace for every heart. May you be surrounded by love and carried by hope, now and always.

Final Words: The Gift of Being Together in Prayer

Illness tests us, but it also brings out compassion, kindness, and a powerful sense of community. Whether you are praying alone, with family, or with a whole congregation, the Jewish prayer for the sick is a gift: a way to reach across distance, difference, and uncertainty, to say “You matter. You are loved. We are with you.” And sometimes, that is the greatest healing of all.