Blessing and Healing
2025 / 5786
Acrylic pen and watercolor on paper
Texts in the Artwork
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ
Mi SheBerach (Debbie Friedman) / The One Who Blessed
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אַבוֹתֵינוּ
The One who blessed our forefathers,
מְקוֹר הַבְּרָכָה לְאִמוֹתֵינוּ
The Source of blessing to our foremothers:
May the Source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
to make our lives a blessing
And let us say Amen
מִּי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אִמוֹתֵינוּ
The One who blessed our foremothers,
מְקוֹר הַבְּרָכָה לְאֲבוֹתֵינוּ
The Source of blessing to our forefathers:
Bless those in need of healing
with refu’ah shleima (full healing)
The renewal of body,
the renewal of spirit
And let us say Amen
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ
Mi SheBerach (Siddur Sim Shalom) / The One Who Blessed
מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ אֲבותֵינוּ וְאִמוֹתֵינוּ, אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקב, שָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה,
May God who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah,
הוּא יְבָרֵךְ וִירַפֵּא אֶת-כָּל החוֹלִים והחוֹלוֹת בִּקְהִלָּה קְדוֹשָׁה, הַקָּדושׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יִמָּלֵא רַחֲמִים עֲלֵיהֶם לְהַחֲזִיקַם וּלְרַפְּאוֹתָם, וְיִשְׁלַח לָהֶם מְהֵרָה
bring blessing and healing to all those who suffer illness within our congregational family. May the Holy One mercifully restore them to health and vigor, granting them physical and spiritual well-being,
רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, רְפוּאַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וּרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף, בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר חוֹלֵי יִשרָאֵל, וִיחַזֵּק אֶת-יְדֵי הָעוֹסְקִים בְְּצָרְכֵיהֶם, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְנאמַר אָמֵן:
together with all others who are ill, and strengthen those who tend to them. We hope and pray that healing is at hand. And let us say: Amen.
יִרְמְיָהוּ יז:יד
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 17:14
(יד) רְפָאֵ֤נִי ה׳ וְאֵ֣רָפֵ֔א
(14) Heal me, O LORD, and let me be healed;
הוֹשִׁיעֵ֖נִי וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה
Save me, and let me be saved;
כִּ֥י תְהִלָּתִ֖י אָֽתָּה׃
For You are my glory.
רְפָאֵנוּ
Refa’enu / “Heal Us” Blessing of the Amidah
רְפָאֵנוּ ה’ וְנֵרָפֵא.
Heal us, O Lord, and we shall be healed,
הושִׁיעֵנוּ וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה כִּי תְהִלָּתֵנוּ אָתָּה.
save us and we shall be saved, for You are our praise.
וְהַעֲלֵה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה לְכָל מַכּותֵינוּ.
Bring complete healing to all our wounds,
יְהִי רָצון מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלהַי וֵאלהֵי אֲבותַי.
May it be Your will in front of You, O Lord, my God and the God of my forefathers,
שֶׁתִּשְׁלַח מְהֵרָה רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם.
that You quickly send a complete recovery from the Heavens
רְפוּאַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וּרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף
– a recovery of the soul and a recovery of the body –
לְחולים ולחולות
to the the sick person, insert name, the son/daughter of insert mother’s name,
בְּתוךְ שְׁאָר חולֵי יִשרָאֵ.
among the other sick ones of Israel.)
כִּי אֵל מֶלֶךְ רופֵא נֶאֱמָן וְרַחֲמָן אָתָּה.
for You are God and King, the faithful and merciful healer.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’, רופֵא חולֵי עַמּו יִשרָאֵל:
Blessed are You, O Lord, Who heals the sick of his people Israel.
יִרְמְיָהוּ ל:יב-יג,יז-כב
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 30:12-13,17-22
(יב) כִּ֣י כֹ֥ה אָמַ֛ר ה׳
(12) For thus said the LORD:
אָנ֣וּשׁ לְשִׁבְרֵ֑ךְ
Your injury is incurable,
נַחְלָ֖ה מַכָּתֵֽךְ׃
Your wound severe;
(יג) אֵֽין־דָּ֥ן דִּינֵ֖ךְ לְמָז֑וֹר
(13) No one pleads for the healing of your sickness,-a
רְפֻא֥וֹת תְּעָלָ֖ה אֵ֥ין לָֽךְ׃
There is no remedy, no recovery for you.
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(יז) כִּי֩ אַעֲלֶ֨ה אֲרֻכָ֥ה לָ֛ךְ
(17) But I will bring healing to you
וּמִמַּכּוֹתַ֥יִךְ אֶרְפָּאֵ֖ךְ
And cure you of your wounds
נְאֻם־ה׳
—declares the LORD.
כִּ֤י נִדָּחָה֙ קָ֣רְאוּ לָ֔ךְ
Though they called you “Outcast,
צִיּ֣וֹן הִ֔יא דֹּרֵ֖שׁ אֵ֥ין לָֽהּ׃ {ס}
That Zion whom no one seeks out,”
(יח) כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר ה׳
(18) Thus said the LORD:
הִנְנִי־שָׁב֙ שְׁבוּת֙ אׇהֳלֵ֣י יַֽעֲק֔וֹב
I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
וּמִשְׁכְּנֹתָ֖יו אֲרַחֵ֑ם
And have compassion upon his dwellings.
וְנִבְנְתָ֥ה עִיר֙ עַל־תִּלָּ֔הּ
The city shall be rebuilt on its mound,
וְאַרְמ֖וֹן עַל־מִשְׁפָּט֥וֹ יֵשֵֽׁב׃
And the fortress in its proper place.
(יט) וְיָצָ֥א מֵהֶ֛ם תּוֹדָ֖ה
(19) From them shall issue thanksgiving
וְק֣וֹל מְשַׂחֲקִ֑ים
And the sound of dancers.
וְהִרְבִּתִים֙
I will multiply them,
וְלֹ֣א יִמְעָ֔טוּ
And they shall not be few;
וְהִכְבַּדְתִּ֖ים
I will make them honored,
וְלֹ֥א יִצְעָֽרוּ׃
And they shall not be humbled.
(כ) וְהָי֤וּ בָנָיו֙ כְּקֶ֔דֶם
(20) His children shall be as of old,
וַעֲדָת֖וֹ לְפָנַ֣י תִּכּ֑וֹן
And his community shall be established by My grace;
וּפָ֣קַדְתִּ֔י עַ֖ל כׇּל־לֹחֲצָֽיו׃
And I will deal with all his oppressors.
(כא) וְהָיָ֨ה אַדִּיר֜וֹ מִמֶּ֗נּוּ
(21) His chieftain shall be one of his own,
וּמֹֽשְׁלוֹ֙ מִקִּרְבּ֣וֹ יֵצֵ֔א
His ruler shall come from his midst;
וְהִקְרַבְתִּ֖יו וְנִגַּ֣שׁ אֵלָ֑י
I will bring him near, that he may approach Me
כִּי֩ מִ֨י הוּא־זֶ֜ה
—declares the LORD—
עָרַ֧ב אֶת־לִבּ֛וֹ
For who would otherwise dare approach Me?
לָגֶ֥שֶׁת אֵלַ֖י נְאֻם־ה׳׃
(כב) וִהְיִ֥יתֶם לִ֖י לְעָ֑ם
(22) You shall be My people,
וְאָ֣נֹכִ֔י
And I
אֶהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹקִֽים׃ {ס}
will be your God.
יִרְמְיָהוּ לג:ו-יא,כו
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 33:6-11,26
(ו) הִנְנִ֧י מַעֲלֶה־לָּ֛הּ
(6) I am going to bring her
אֲרֻכָ֥ה וּמַרְפֵּ֖א וּרְפָאתִ֑ים
relief and healing. I will heal them
וְגִלֵּיתִ֣י לָהֶ֔ם
and reveal to them
עֲתֶ֥רֶת שָׁל֖וֹם וֶאֱמֶֽת׃
abundance of true favor.
(ז) וַהֲשִֽׁבֹתִי֙ אֶת־שְׁב֣וּת יְהוּדָ֔ה
(7) And I will restore the fortunes of Judah
וְאֵ֖ת שְׁב֣וּת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
and Israel,
וּבְנִתִ֖ים כְּבָרִֽאשֹׁנָֽה׃
and I will rebuild them as of old.
(ח) וְטִ֣הַרְתִּ֔ים
(8) And I will purge them
מִכׇּל־עֲוֺנָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָֽטְאוּ־לִ֑י
of all the sins that they committed against Me,
וְסָלַחְתִּ֗י
and I will pardon
(לכול)[לְכׇל־]עֲוֺנֽוֹתֵיהֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָֽטְאוּ־לִ֔י
all the sins that they committed against Me,
וַאֲשֶׁ֖ר פָּ֥שְׁעוּ בִֽי׃
by which they rebelled against Me.
(ט) וְהָ֣יְתָה לִּ֗י
(9) And she shall gain through Me
לְשֵׁ֤ם שָׂשׂוֹן֙ לִתְהִלָּ֣ה וּלְתִפְאֶ֔רֶת
renown, joy, fame, and glory
לְכֹ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ
above all the nations on earth,
אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁמְע֜וּ
when they hear
אֶת־כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָ֗ה
of all the good fortune
אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָנֹכִי֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה אוֹתָ֔ם
I provide for them.
וּפָחֲד֣וּ וְרָגְז֗וּ
They will thrill and quiver
עַ֤ל כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָה֙ וְעַ֣ל כׇּל־הַשָּׁל֔וֹם
because of all the good fortune and all the prosperity
אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י עֹ֥שֶׂה לָּֽהּ׃ {ס}
that I provide for her.
(י) כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר ה׳
(10) Thus said GOD:
עוֹד֮ יִשָּׁמַ֣ע בַּמָּקוֹם־הַזֶּה֒
Again there shall be heard in this place,
אֲשֶׁר֙ אַתֶּ֣ם אֹֽמְרִ֔ים
which you say
חָרֵ֣ב ה֔וּא
is ruined,
מֵאֵ֥ין אָדָ֖ם וּמֵאֵ֣ין בְּהֵמָ֑ה
without humans or animals—
בְּעָרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם
in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem
הַֽנְשַׁמּ֗וֹת מֵאֵ֥ין אָדָ֛ם
that are desolate, without humans,
וּמֵאֵ֥ין יוֹשֵׁ֖ב וּמֵאֵ֥ין בְּהֵמָֽה׃
without inhabitants, without animals—
(יא) ק֣וֹל שָׂשׂ֞וֹן וְק֣וֹל שִׂמְחָ֗ה
(11) the sound of mirth and gladness,
ק֣וֹל חָתָן֮ וְק֣וֹל כַּלָּה֒
the voice of bridegroom and bride,
ק֣וֹל אֹמְרִ֡ים הוֹדוּ֩
the voice of those who cry, “Give thanks
אֶת־ה׳ צְבָא֜וֹת
to GOD of Hosts,
כִּי־ט֤וֹב ה׳ כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּ֔וֹ
for GOD—whose steadfast love is eternal—is good!”
מְבִאִ֥ים תּוֹדָ֖ה בֵּ֣ית ה׳
as they bring thanksgiving offerings to the House of GOD.
כִּֽי־אָשִׁ֧יב אֶת־שְׁבוּת־הָאָ֛רֶץ
For I will restore the fortunes of the land…
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(כו) …
(26) …
כִּי־[אָשִׁ֥יב](אשוב) אֶת־שְׁבוּתָ֖ם וְרִחַמְתִּֽים׃ {פ}
Indeed, I will restore their fortunes and take them back in love.
שְׁמוֹת לב:ט
Shmot / Exodus 32:9
(ט) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ה׳ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה
(9) And GOD said to Moshe:
רָאִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה
I see this people—
וְהִנֵּ֥ה עַם־קְשֵׁה־עֹ֖רֶף הֽוּא׃
and here, it is a hard-necked people!
מִשְׁלֵי כט:א
Mishlei / Proverbs 29:1
(א) אִ֣ישׁ תּ֭וֹכָחוֹת מַקְשֶׁה־עֹ֑רֶף
(1) One oft reproved may become stiffnecked,
פֶּ֥תַע יִ֝שָּׁבֵ֗ר וְאֵ֣ין מַרְפֵּֽא׃
But he will be suddenly broken beyond repair.
Pride and Prejudice
Obstinate, headstrong girl!
יְשַׁעְיָהוּ מח:ד,י
Yeshayahu / Isaiah 48:4,10
(ד) מִדַּעְתִּ֕י
(4) Because I know
כִּ֥י קָשֶׁ֖ה אָ֑תָּה
how stubborn (stiff-necked) you are
וְגִ֤יד בַּרְזֶל֙ עׇרְפֶּ֔ךָ
(Your neck is like an iron sinew
וּמִצְחֲךָ֖ נְחוּשָֽׁה׃
And your forehead bronze),
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(י) הִנֵּ֥ה צְרַפְתִּ֖יךָ וְלֹ֣א בְכָ֑סֶף
(10) See, I refine you, but not as silver;
בְּחַרְתִּ֖יךָ בְּכ֥וּר עֹֽנִי׃
I test you in the furnace of affliction.
בּׅרְכַּת הַמָּזוֹן
Birkat HaMazon / Blessing after Meals
הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יִשְׁלַח לָנוּ בְּרָכָה מְרֻבָּה בַּבַּיִת הַזֶּה, וְעַל שֻׁלְחָן זֶה שֶׁאָכַלְנוּ עָלָיו.
May the Merciful send abundant blessings to this house and to this table at which we have eaten.
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הָרַחֲמָן הוּא ישכין שלום בינינו.
May the Merciful cause peace to dwell among us.
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הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יְבָרֵךְ אֶת
May God bless
אָבִי מוֹרִי בַּעַל הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה,
my father, head of this household,
וְאֶת אִמִּי מוֹרָתִי בַּעֲלַת הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה.
and my mother, mistress of this household,
אוֹתָם וְאֶת בֵּיתָם וְאֶת זַרְעָם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם,
their children and all their family.
וְאֶת כל המסבים כאן,
May God bless all who are gathered here
אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר לָנוּ,
and all their families, as well as all dear to us.
כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּתְבָּרְכוּ
Even as our forefathers,
אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
ואמותינו שרה רבקה רחל ולאה
and our foremothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah
בַּכֹּל מִכֹּל כֹּל –
were blessed in every way;
כֵּן יְבָרֵךְ אוֹתָנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ יַחַד בִּבְרָכָה שְׁלֵמָה. וְנֹאמַר: אָמֵן.
so may God bless all of us together with a perfect blessing, and let us say, Amen.
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בַּמָּרוֹם יְלַמְּדוּ עֲלֵיהֶם וְעָלֵינוּ זְכוּת שֶׁתְּהֵא לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת שָׁלוֹם וְנִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת ה׳, וּצְדָקָה מֵאֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעֵנוּ, וְנִמְצָא חֵן וְשֵׂכֶל טוֹב בְּעֵינֵי אֱלֹהִים וְאָדָם.
May our merit and the merit of our fathers secure enduring peace for all of us. May we receive a blessing from the Lord, and justice from the God of our salvation. May we find grace and favor in the sight of God and man.
בְּרֵאשִׁית יב:א-ב
Breishit / Genesis 12:1-2
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ה’ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם
GOD said to Avram:
לֶךְ־לְךָ֛
Go-you-forth
מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ
from your land, from your kindred, from your father’s house,
אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃
to the land that I will let you see.
וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל
I will make a great nation of you
וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔
and will give-you-blessing
וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ
and will make your name great.
וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה׃
Be a blessing!
Sourcing
Mi SheBerach (Debbie Friedman) / The One Who Blessed
Written by:
Debbie Friedman + Devorah Setel, and traditional liturgy
Translation of Hebrew passages:
Talia Werber
Mi SheBerach (Siddur Sim Shalom) / The One Who Blessed
Written by:
Siddur Sim Shalom
Translation:
Siddur Sim Shalom
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 17:14
Translation:
Jewish Publication Society, 1985
Refa’enu / “”Heal Us”” Blessing of the Amidah
Written by:
Traditional Liturgy
Translation:
Sefaria, Siddur Ashkenaz, adapted
Hebrew from:
Sefaria, Siddur Ashkenaz, adapted
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 30:12-13,17-22
Translation:
Jewish Publication Society, 1985
Yirmiyahu / Jeremiah 33:6-11,26
Translation:
Jewish Publication Society, 1985
Shmot / Exodus 32:9
Translation:
Everett Fox, adapted
Mishlei / Proverbs 29:1
Translation:
Jewish Publication Society, 1985
Pride and Prejudice
Written by:
Jane Austen
Yeshayahu / Isaiah 48:4,10
Translation:
Jewish Publication Society, 1985
Birkat HaMazon / Blessing after Meals
Translation:
Bekol Echad and/or Yedid Nefesh
Breishit / Genesis 12:1-2
Translation:
Everett Fox, adapted
