What is mi sheberach for healing?

The Mi Sheberach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ, "May the One who blessed") for healing is a traditional Jewish prayer recited on behalf of someone who is ill, asking God to grant them a refuah shleimah (רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה, "complete recovery"). It is most commonly recited in the synagogue during Torah reading, and invokes the merit of the Patriarchs and other biblical figures as a basis for the blessing.

Key Takeaways

The Mi Sheberach for healing is a communal prayer recited for the sick, typically during Torah reading on Shabbat or weekdays.
The prayer asks God to grant both refuat hanefesh (healing of the soul) and refuat haguf (healing of the body).
It is traditionally linked to a pledge of tzedakah (charity) made on behalf of the ill person.
On Shabbat, a special phrase is added acknowledging that Shabbat is a time when we refrain from crying out, yet recovery is near.
The prayer asks that the ill person be healed "among all the sick of Israel," emphasizing communal solidarity.

The Text of the Prayer

The Siddur Ashkenaz contains two versions — one for a male patient and one for a female patient [Siddur Ashkenaz, Shabbat, Shacharit, Torah Reading, Mi Sheberach for Sickness].

For a Male Patient:

מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן דָּוִד וּשְׁלֹמֹה הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַחוֹלֶה [פלוני בן פלוני] בַּעֲבוּר שֶׁ[פלוני] נוֹדֵר צְדָקָה בַּעֲבוּרוֹ, בִּשְׂכַר זֶה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עָלָיו לְהַחֲלִימוֹ וּלְרַפְּאֹתוֹ וּלְהַחֲזִיקוֹ וּלְהַחֲיוֹתוֹ, וְיִשְׁלַח לוֹ מְהֵרָה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לִרְמַ"ח אֵבָרָיו וּשְׁסָ"ה גִּידָיו בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, רְפוּאַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וּרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף

"May the One who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and Aaron, David and Solomon — may He bless the ill person [name, son of name] because [so-and-so] pledges charity on his behalf. In this merit, may the Holy One, Blessed be He, be filled with compassion for him, to heal him, to cure him, to strengthen him, and to revive him, and may He send him speedily a complete recovery from heaven — for all 248 of his limbs and 365 of his sinews — among all the sick of Israel, a healing of the soul and a healing of the body."

For a Female Patient:

The feminine version uses the same opening but adjusts all pronouns and verbs accordingly, concluding similarly with refuat hanefesh u'refuat haguf [Siddur Ashkenaz, ibid.].

The Shabbat Addition

On Shabbat, a special phrase is inserted:

שַׁבָּת הִיא מִלִּזְעֹק וּרְפוּאָה קְרוֹבָה לָבוֹא "Shabbat precludes us from crying out, yet recovery is near to come."

This phrase reflects the halachic sensitivity that Shabbat is a time of peace and joy, and excessive expressions of distress are discouraged — yet the prayer for healing is still offered [Siddur Ashkenaz, ibid.].

Structure and Key Elements

The prayer contains several distinct components:

Invocation of merit — calling upon God who blessed the Patriarchs (and other biblical figures) to extend blessing now.
Tzedakah pledge — the prayer is traditionally recited in the merit of a tzedakah pledge made by the person called to the Torah or by a family member.
Four expressions of healing — lehachlimo (to heal), lerapoto (to cure), lehachziko (to strengthen), lehachayoto (to revive) — reflecting different dimensions of recovery.
248 limbs and 365 sinews — corresponding to the traditional count of the body's parts, symbolizing total healing.
Communal framing — "among all the sick of Israel" — the individual's healing is placed within the broader context of the Jewish people.
Dual healing — refuat hanefesh (healing of the soul/spirit) and refuat haguf (healing of the body).

Who Is Named in the Prayer?

The ill person is identified by their Hebrew name and their mother's name (e.g., Moshe ben Rivka). This practice of using the mother's name for prayers of healing and protection is rooted in Kabbalah and is cited by the Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria), based on the verse in Psalms: "Save me... the son of your handmaid" [Psalms 116:16], which emphasizes the maternal connection.

When Is It Recited?

During the Torah reading on Shabbat and weekdays — most commonly on Shabbat morning after someone receives an aliyah.
It can also be recited at any time as a personal prayer.
Some communities recite it daily during the week as well.

Broader Theological Themes

The Mi Sheberach reflects several core Jewish values:

Communal responsibility — praying for the sick is a mitzvah (obligation), as derived from Moses' prayer for Miriam: "אֵל נָא רְפָא נָא לָהּ" — "Please, God, please heal her" [Numbers 12:13].
Merit-based prayer — invoking the merits of the righteous is a classical Jewish mode of petition.
Integration of body and soul — the dual request for refuat hanefesh and refuat haguf reflects the Jewish understanding that physical and spiritual health are intertwined, echoing the verse "וּלְעָבְדוֹ בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶם" — "to serve Him with all your heart" [Deuteronomy 11:13].

For personal guidance on reciting this prayer or halachic matters related to prayer for the ill, consult your local rabbi or posek.