Healing

This week, I visited a friend in the hospital, and asked if I might offer a misheberach for his healing. I remember that when my grandmother was ill, a Rabbi came in to do a similar action, and she was angered enough to throw him out of the room. She was under the belief that you only received a misheberach if you were dying. If you’ve been at shul on Shabbat mornings, you know that my grandmother was not right. The prayer says nothing about death! In fact the translation of the prayer offered during the Torah service is as follows:

May the One who blessed our ancestors --

Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah --

bless and heal the one who is ill:

________________ son/daughter of ________________ .

May the Holy Blessed One

overflow with compassion upon him/her,

to restore him/her,

to heal him/her,

to strengthen him/her,

to enliven him/her.

The One will send him/her, speedily,

a complete healing --

healing of the soul and healing of the body --

along with all the ill,

among the people of Israel and all humankind,

soon,

speedily,

without delay,

and let us all say: Amen!

As we journey through life, it is no surprise that there are often physical and emotional challenges that become part of our reality. For many, doctor’s appointments, long lists of medicines, and medical crises seem to become the reality with which they live. Does the misheberach prayer offer them a realistic vision of their future? Will there be a time when they are completely healed? Will there be a divine intervention that brings about a reversal of fate? If the body does not fully heal, is it possible for the spirit to heal?

Perhaps when we offer a prayer on behalf of a chronically ill individual, we should also pray that they be given the strength to persist in the face of the challenges that may seem overwhelming; that they have the courage to continue in life and remain connected to those who care about them. Perhaps our prayer should be that they be able to maintain a sense of purpose throughout all phases of their life.

I have the utmost respect for medical professionals who work to heal us when we are ill. Yet, I also believe that there is another component to healing beyond the scientific approach. Healing is enhanced when we are able to connect with something larger than our own individual lives. There is a healing power of being connected to a community. There is a sense of healing when we can turn to our tradition for its wisdom and comfort. Finding individuals who share our spiritual orientation, with whom we can celebrate and grieve, can also help us heal if not in body, then in spirit.

We have much to offer one another, as healers; much to glean from our tradition about nurturing our souls as well as our bodies. May we not only offer prayers of healing on behalf of our loved ones, but also remain connected to them as they face difficult times….for it is the blessings of love and friendship, family and community, that will bring spiritual healing.

Amen.