Mi Shebeirakh
Text: Psalm 147:3; Number 12:13; Traditional Jewish healing prayer
For many years, I tried unsuccessfully to write a Mi Shebeirakh for healing with a Jewish feel. It wasn’t until my friend and colleague, Jack Mendelson, took ill, that I was moved to create something to help heal a friend.
The refrain of “Eil na r’fa na la” is a melody by Abraham Ellstein from his V’liy’rushalayim Irkho. The end of Ellstein’s piece, “Bonei v’rakhamav Y’rushalayim,” is a very well recognized tune, and lent itself to this healing song. The Mi Shebeirakh text is set at first in the major mode to express hope for healing and wholeness and then there is a visitation into the Ukrainian Dorian mode, which has a traditional affiliation with the Mi Shebeirakh.
God is the healer of broken hearted. May God please heal those who are ailing. May God who blessed our ancestors bring blessing and healing to those who are ill. May the Holy and Blessed One mercifully restore them to health and vigor. May God grant them physical and spiritual well-being together with all others who are ill. May God do this speedily and soon, and let us say: Amen.
Teach My Lips a Blessing
the music of Erik Contzius
