Q. I am reciting a Jewish prayer on behalf of the sick. Should I mention the patient’s name?
Knowing Whom You’re Praying For
Although God is very well aware of our every thought, a prayer is more effective when specified. Therefore, one should mention the name of the person he or she is praying for (Zohar Parshat Vayishlach).
How to State the Sick Person’s Name
It is customary to mention the sick person’s name and the name of his/her mother. For example, one would say “Yaakov ben Leah” (Yaakov the son of Leah) when praying for a man, or “Sarah bat Leah” (Sarah the daughter of Leah) when praying for a woman. It is preferable to use the individual’s Hebrew name; however, if one does not know the first name of the individual or his/her parent, one can use the family name (e.g., “Sarah Goldbergstein”).
How to Pray for Healing: Tehillim and Mi Shebeirach
When saying Jewish psalms (Tehillim) for the sick, one should ask for the refuah sheleimah (complete recovery) of this patient. Many printed editions of Tehillim include a specific prayer at the end of the book where one can mention the name of the one he is praying for. One can also say the prayer of Mi Shebeirach (a prayer recited by many congregations on behalf of the sick) printed in most siddurim (prayer books) as part of the Shabbat morning services. It generally appears right after the blessings for kriat haTorah (Torah reading).
What If You Don’t Know the Name?
If unaware of the of the patient’s name at all, one can say still recite the prayers. God knows whom he is asking for!
Praying in the Patient’s Presence
Although we have mentioned that a prayer is more powerful when specified, one does not need to mention the patient’s name when praying in their presence (Mishnah Berurah 119:2). The Talmud (Brachot 34a) derives this from the prayer of Moshe (Moses) for the healing of his sister, Miriam the prophetess. He simply prayed, “Please, God, heal her now (Bamidbar/Numbers 12:13).”
< Bikur Cholim Part 3: In Jewish Tradition
By Rabbi Mayer Smith
