Prayer for the sick chabad: essential, practical guide: 5 key steps
Prayer for the sick chabad: meaning, text, and how to say it
In Jewish life, the prayer for the sick chabad is a heartfelt way to ask the Almighty to send healing, strength, and comfort to those who are unwell. Known widely as the Mi Sheberach, this prayer embodies compassion and communal solidarity, uniting friends and family in a shared call for a speedy and complete recovery—refuah sheleimah in Hebrew.
This guide explains what the prayer is, when and how to recite it, the significance of names and intention, and practical steps that align with Chabad custom. Whether you are new to Jewish prayer, returning to tradition, or simply looking for a clear explanation, you will find straightforward advice here to help you offer the prayer for the sick chabad with confidence, sincerity, and respect.
Alongside the prayer itself, we explore supportive practices common in Chabad communities, such as reciting Psalms (Tehillim), giving charity (tzedakah), writing a blessing request at the Ohel, and taking on a good resolution—each seen as a meaningful way to draw divine blessing. Importantly, these spiritual practices are not a substitute for professional medical care; they complement it, supporting the person’s body and spirit during illness.
What is prayer for the sick chabad?
The prayer for the sick chabad refers to the Mi Sheberach—a traditional Jewish petition for healing. It is typically recited during synagogue services, particularly around the Torah reading, and can also be said privately at home. The essence of the Mi Sheberach is to ask God, who “blessed our forefathers,” to bless a particular person with a refuah sheleimah, “a complete healing of body and soul.”
Chabad custom emphasises warmth, community, and positive action. In that spirit, the Mi Sheberach is often paired with doing a mitzvah (a good deed) in the ill person’s merit—such as giving tzedakah—on the belief that a good deed can help open channels of blessing. You will see this approach reflected throughout the practical guidance that follows.
The Mi Sheberach and its roots
Mi Sheberach literally means “May He Who blessed…,” referring to God blessing the patriarchs and, in some texts, the matriarchs. The formula asks the Almighty to similarly bless the named patient. Across the Jewish world you will find many versions of this prayer; the prayer for the sick chabad follows the Nusach Chabad (Chabad’s liturgical tradition), with a clear call for complete healing, timely recovery, and protection.
Healing in Jewish thought
Judaism honours medicine and prayer together. The Talmud recognises the physician’s role—“permission was given to the healer to heal”—while also viewing prayer as a vital expression of care, humility, and faith. In Chassidic thought (which informs Chabad practice), every sincere blessing, prayer, or mitzvah done on behalf of another can make a difference. The prayer for the sick chabad is thus both a spiritual plea and a communal embrace.
When and where to recite prayer for the sick chabad
Traditionally, the Mi Sheberach is recited in synagogue during the Torah reading, as the scroll is open and the congregation is attentive. Many Chabad communities maintain a list of names to include at this point. That said, the prayer for the sick chabad can also be said outside the service—quietly at home, before lighting Shabbat candles, when visiting the ill, or whenever your heart moves you.
On Shabbat, Jewish law generally limits personal petitions, yet the Mi Sheberach for the ill remains an accepted custom. The Shabbat version often includes the phrase “Shabbat hi miliz’ok”—“It is Shabbat, when crying out is restricted”—acknowledging the day’s sanctity while still asking for mercy and healing. If you are unsure how your local Chabad community customises the wording or timing, simply ask the rabbi or gabbai (synagogue coordinator).
Step-by-step: how to say prayer for the sick chabad
Here is a simple way to recite the prayer for the sick chabad with clarity and intention. You can adapt the steps to a communal or private setting.
- Prepare the person’s Hebrew name: Ideally, use the person’s Hebrew name and their mother’s Hebrew name, in the format “Name ben/bat Mother’s Name” (ben for a man, bat for a woman). If you do not know the Hebrew names, use the person’s commonly used name and their mother’s name. Accuracy helps, but sincerity matters most.
- Set your intention: Before beginning, pause briefly. Think of the person’s wellbeing and ask that your words uplift them. Intention—kavanah—is considered a crucial element of the prayer for the sick chabad.
- Recite the Mi Sheberach: In synagogue, the gabbai or rabbi may lead. At home, you can simply say a clear English version, as shown in the sample section below. Include the phrase “refuah sheleimah” and specify “a healing of body and soul.”
- Say Psalms (Tehillim): Many Chabad communities encourage reciting Psalms 20, 121, 130, or 150, or following a daily Tehillim schedule. Psalms channel heartfelt emotion and are seen as especially potent for healing.
- Give tzedakah: Even a small coin to charity in the person’s merit is traditional. Chabad teaching often pairs prayer with action, believing a mitzvah helps draw blessing.
- Share the name with your community: If appropriate, ask your local Chabad house to add the person to its Mi Sheberach list. In many places, this is done weekly.
- Keep praying consistently: Healing can be a journey. Continue the prayer for the sick chabad until recovery, and let others know when health improves so they can offer thanks.
Names: getting the details right
Using a Hebrew name followed by the mother’s Hebrew name is standard. Why the mother’s name? Tradition holds that maternal connection evokes special mercy. If no Hebrew names are known, do your best with English names. Should a name change be recommended by a rabbi for spiritual reasons, follow local guidance. Above all, do not delay the prayer waiting for perfect information—the prayer for the sick chabad is welcomed from the heart.
Tehillim and the power of heartfelt words
Chassidic teachings stress the impact of Tehillim (Psalms) recited with feeling. Chapters 20 (for assistance), 121 (for protection), and 130 (for mercy) are common choices. If you prefer structure, recite the daily Tehillim portion. After Psalms, you can repeat the Mi Sheberach in your own words, personalising your request for the individual’s needs.
Sample wordings for prayer for the sick chabad
These examples are designed for clarity and accessibility. Use them as is or adapt them to your style and circumstances.
Simple English version
“May He who blessed our ancestors bless [Name ben/bat Mother’s Name]. May the Holy One, blessed be He, send them a speedy and complete refuah sheleimah—a healing of body and soul—together with all who are ill among Israel and all people in need. May it be Your will, Almighty God, to grant strength, comfort, and lasting health. Amen.”
Concise version when visiting the ill
“May the Almighty grant [Name ben/bat Mother’s Name] a refuah sheleimah, swiftly and fully, body and soul. Amen.”
Shabbat wording (common addition)
“Shabbat hi miliz’ok, refuah kerovah lavo—Though it is Shabbat, may healing soon come to [Name ben/bat Mother’s Name].”
In a synagogue setting, the gabbai may use a fuller Nusach Chabad text. At home or online, keep the language sincere and respectful. The prayer for the sick chabad is not about perfect phrasing—it is about genuine compassion expressed through prayer.
Common mistakes to avoid in prayer for the sick chabad
- Waiting for perfect details: Do not postpone the prayer if you do not know exact Hebrew names. Offer what you can now, and refine later.
- Forgetting tzedakah or a mitzvah: While not mandatory, Chabad custom often pairs the prayer for the sick chabad with a mitzvah. Even a small act can be meaningful.
- Neglecting updates: If your community is praying, let them know when health improves so they can offer gratitude and adjust lists.
- Overlooking privacy: Share names thoughtfully, respecting the person’s dignity and wishes. When in doubt, check with the family.
- Treating prayer as a substitute for care: Prayer complements, but never replaces, medical advice and treatment. Continue working with healthcare professionals.
Complementary Chabad practices that support healing
Alongside the Mi Sheberach, several Chabad practices are commonly encouraged. Used thoughtfully, they enrich the prayer for the sick chabad and offer merits in the ill person’s name.
- Tzedakah (charity): Give regularly, even small amounts, in the patient’s merit.
- Tehillim (Psalms): Recite daily chapters or specific Psalms for protection and healing.
- Hachlatah tova (good resolution): Take on a positive practice—lighting Shabbat candles, putting on tefillin, or enhancing kindness—to invite blessing.
- Checking mezuzot and tefillin: If appropriate, have a qualified scribe (sofer) check these items, a traditional practice when seeking blessing.
- Writing to the Ohel: Many ask for blessings at the Ohel, the resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, requesting divine mercy for the unwell. This is not prayer to a person, but a request that the Rebbe intercede and that God answer with kindness.
Choose practices that feel authentic and sustainable. The goal is to build a steady flow of merit and heartfelt connection that enhances the effect of the prayer itself.
Practical etiquette and best times
Communal recitation usually occurs during the Torah service on weekdays and Shabbat. If you wish to submit a name at your local Chabad house, arrive a few minutes early and speak with the gabbai or rabbi. On Shabbat, maintain the respectful tone of the day; even when the Mi Sheberach is said, it is done with calm trust rather than overt lamentation.
Privately, you can say the prayer for the sick chabad at any time—morning, before bedtime, or whenever you feel the need. Some prefer moments connected to mitzvot: after giving tzedakah, before lighting candles, or after reciting Psalms. These touchpoints help fix the practice into a routine, ensuring you continue praying consistently.
Basic concepts to know before you begin
- Refuah sheleimah: A complete healing, body and soul.
- Ben/Bat: “Ben” means “son of”; “bat” means “daughter of.” Use the mother’s name after this.
- Bikur cholim: Visiting and supporting the sick; a great mitzvah that pairs naturally with prayer.
- Nusach: The specific liturgical style. Chabad has its own nusach, which shapes its Mi Sheberach wording.
Examples: how families and communities use the prayer
In one small Chabad house, a weekly WhatsApp group gathers names on Friday, ensuring the gabbai includes them during Shabbat morning services. Family members, friends, and sometimes colleagues from other faiths share names respectfully, and a small charity box by the door encourages tzedakah in the merit of those on the list. In another community, people commit to reading one chapter of Tehillim daily, together completing the whole Book of Psalms weekly. Both patterns show how the prayer for the sick chabad fosters unity, discipline, and care.
At home, individuals often keep a short list by their prayer book. They recite a Psalm, give a coin to charity, say the Mi Sheberach in English, and whisper an added personal request. The structure is simple, but the intention runs deep—exactly the spirit in which Chabad encourages healing prayers.
Recommended external resources
- Chabad.org: Prayers for the Sick (Mi Sheberach) — text and guidance
- Chabad.org: The Book of Psalms — full text and daily schedule
- Chabad.org: Visiting the Sick (Bikur Cholim) — background and practice
- Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch: Write to the Rebbe — request blessings at the Ohel
Related articles
Frequently asked questions about prayer for the sick chabad
What information do I need to include in the Mi Sheberach?
Ideally, share the person’s Hebrew name and their mother’s Hebrew name (e.g., “Rivkah bat Sarah”). If you do not know the Hebrew names, use their usual name and their mother’s name. Providing a condition or diagnosis is not necessary; keep details private unless the family has permitted otherwise.
Can I recite the prayer at home, or must it be in synagogue?
You can say the prayer for the sick chabad at home, at a hospital bedside, or anywhere that feels appropriate. While there is a strong tradition of reciting it around the Torah reading in synagogue, private prayer is both meaningful and encouraged. Adding Psalms and a coin to charity can be a simple, powerful routine.
What is the best time to say the prayer?
There is no single “best” time. Many favour morning prayers, the moment before lighting Shabbat candles, or immediately after giving tzedakah. Consistency is more important than timing; choose a moment you can keep regularly.
Is it appropriate to pray for non-Jews with this prayer?
Yes. One may pray for the healing of all human beings. In English versions, simply include the person’s name and ask for mercy and a complete recovery. The spirit of the prayer for the sick chabad is compassion for every person in need.
