Bikor Cholim is a commandment which tells us that we should visit the sick
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE HOSPITAL VISITS
Southern Ocean County Hospital (as the name implies) serves the medical needs of all residents and shore visitors for Southern Ocean County. Pastors, ministers and priests attend to the comfort and spiritual needs of the general population. One exception was for Jewish patients who had no representation. To remedy the situation, the Sunshine Committee from Congregation Sha’arey Ha Yam became certified lay pastors at the hospital. One or more of the Committee members daily visit the Jewish patients as well as any other patients who may be in the room. The hospital provides a list of all patients by religion. Although the ministers of all other faiths visit all rooms in the hospital, the Sunshine Committee brings the reassuring realization that there is a Jewish presence in the area. We want the patients to realize that Congregation Sha’Arey Ha Yam cares about them and that we will pray for them at our services. In addition to chatting with the patients and their visitors, listening to their concerns and needs, we also leave a customized prayer pamphlet for the patient. The Committee has found that most Jewish patients in the hospital are very pleased with the visits and find them comforting and helpful to their recovery.
_______________________________________________________________________
Southern Ocean County Hospital (as the name implies) serves the medical needs of all residents and shore visitors for Southern Ocean County. Pastors, ministers and priests attend to the comfort and spiritual needs of the general population. One exception was for Jewish patients who had no representation. To remedy the situation, the Sunshine Committee from Congregation Sha’arey Ha Yam became certified lay pastors at the hospital. One or more of the Committee members daily visit the Jewish patients as well as any other patients who may be in the room. The hospital provides a list of all patients by religion. Although the ministers of all other faiths visit all rooms in the hospital, the Sunshine Committee brings the reassuring realization that there is a Jewish presence in the area. We want the patients to realize that Congregation Sha’Arey Ha Yam cares about them and that we will pray for them at our services. In addition to chatting with the patients and their visitors, listening to their concerns and needs, we also leave a customized prayer pamphlet for the patient. The Committee has found that most Jewish patients in the hospital are very pleased with the visits and find them comforting and helpful to their recovery.
_______________________________________________________________________
We hope that you will find the following prayers useful either for yourself or when visiting a sick person
The following prayer can be used at the conclusion of the visit:
The prayer in English translation...
May the One who blessed our ancestors --
Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah --
bless and heal the one who is ill:
________________ son/daughter of ________________ .
May the Holy Blessed One
overflow with compassion upon him/her,
to restore him/her,
to heal him/her,
to strengthen him/her,
to enliven him/her.
The One will send him/her, speedily,
a complete healing --
healing of the soul and healing of the body --
along with all the ill,
among the people of Israel and all humankind,
soon,
speedily,
without delay,
and let us all say: Amen!
The prayer in Hebrew transliteration...
Mi Sheberakh
Avoteinu: Avraham, Yitzhak, v'Yaakov,
v'Imoteinu: Sarah, Rivka, Rachel v'Leah,
Hu yivarekh virapei
et haholeh/haholah _____________ ben/bat ______________
HaKadosh Barukh Hu
yimalei rahamim alav/aleha,
l'hahalimo/l'hahlimah,
u-l'rap'oto/u-l'rap'otah,
l'hahaziko/l'hazikah,
u-l'hay-oto/u-l'hay-otah.
V'yishlah lo/lah bim-hera
r'fuah shlemah,
r'fu-at hanefesh u-r'fu-at hagoof,
b'tokh sh'ar holei Yisrael v’holei yoshvei tevel,
hashta ba'agalah u-vizman kariv,
v'no-mar, Amen!
_______________________________________________________________________
The following prayers were written by Rabbi Naomi Levy in her book Talking to God, Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration (New York, Knopf Press 2002)
A Prayer for Healing
I am sick, God, And I am frightened, I feel so alone, I am scared of doctor. I am scared of pain and uncertainty, of feeling helpless.
Be with me, God. Be there when others fail me. Be my strength and my protector. Be my friend.
Hear me, God. Heal me, God. Lead me back to strength, God, back to health, back to life, back to you. Amen.
A Prayer Before Surgery
I am scared, God, I feel vulnerable. I don’t like feeling helpless.
I am worried. So before my surgery I pray:
I place my body and soul in Your hands. Please watch over me, God, in the operating room. Stay beside me. Never leave me. Strengthen my will to live. Enlighten my doctors and nurses with the skill, wisdom, and insight to mend and cure me properly. Let this procedure go smoothly without complication. Watch over my loved ones who are worrying about me now. Remind me that I am resilient. That I can and will grow stronger each day. Bless me, God, with Your healing power, protect me from all harm, shield me from pain. And when I wake, God, give me the courage and passion to fight for the sacred treasure You have granted me: my life. Amen
A Prayer to Say When a Loved One is in Surgery
God, Watch over _______ during her surgery. Stay beside her. Protect her. Shield her.from fear and pain. Bless her doctors and nurses with wisdom and strength. May they bring us good news.
Spread Your healing power over _______. Return her to us, God whole and strong. Amen.
A Blessing for Healing
(May be done with laying on of hands)
May God heal you, body and soul. May your pain cease. May your strength increase. May your fears be released. May blessings, love and joy surround you. Amen.
A Prayer After Surgery
Thank You, God. Thank you for my life. Thank You for seeing me through. Thank You for this wondrous new day. Thank You for tomorrow’s hope, for the miracle of medicine and the skills of my doctors and nurses, for the power to heal and grow, for the gift of a new beginning. Amen.
A Pray for Loved Ones to Recite After Surgery
Thank You, God. ___________ has safely emerged from surgery. Thank You for restoring him to us, for turning our fear into joy.
Bless ________ with your healing light. Watch over him, God; protect him from all harm. Help him to recover quickly. May he grow stronger and stronger each day. Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________
In the book Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook by Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman there is a section “From the Depths: The use of Psalms” by Rabbi Simka Y. Weinberg which gives the very useful material which follows:
Over the centuries, certain psalms have become associated with particular moments or transitions in life. For example;
For times of communal distress: Psalms 20, 28, 85, 86, 102, 130 and 142
For recovery from illness: Psalms 6, 30, 41, 88 and 103
For thanksgiving: Psalms 9, 21, 57, 95, 116 and 138
On a wedding day: Psalm 19
At the birth of a child: Psalms 20, 139
On the day of a brit milah: Psalm 12
When traveling: Psalm 91
When seeking repentance: Psalms 51, 90
When visiting a gravesite: Psalms 33, 16, 17, 72, 91, 104, 130
Some have identified the following thirty-six psalms as particularly suited to the spiritual needs of a sick person and concerned relatives and friends: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 41, 49, 55, 56, 69, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 102, 103, 104, 107, 116, 118, 128, 142 and 143.
Many people come to pastoral caregivers with a thirst for something to do, a craving for words to say. A wonderful gift to those who want and need such practice is to open up and read a psalm (or two or three) for their personal devotion, the private service of their heart. Read a well-chosen psalm with them, and then explore how to work it into their day:
A woman, aged forty-two, who was dealing simultaneously with a divorce, a serious medical diagnosis, insensitive rejection by a community, and an adolescent daughter who was acting out was looking for “a Jewish place to retreat.” She spoke at length with her rabbi who, as a pastoral caregiver, worked with her to explore and more clearly to articulate what she was seeking. They decided together that her home and her workplace had to become that “retreat” and as part of that project she began to say, study and chant Psalm 30 three times a day, in a quiet, private space.
Adonai, my God, I extol You for You have lifted me up
and now allowed enemies to rejoice over me.
Adonai, my God, I cried out to You and You healed me.
Adonai, You lifted my nefesh/my being from She’al.
You revived me from descent into the Pit.
Shema/Hear, Adonai. Have mercy on me! Adonai – be my help!
You turn my lament into dancing; You undo my sackcloth
and gird me with joy! So that my whole being praises to
You so I am not silent Adonai, my God.
I will thank/praise you for ever.
The prayer in English translation...
May the One who blessed our ancestors --
Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah --
bless and heal the one who is ill:
________________ son/daughter of ________________ .
May the Holy Blessed One
overflow with compassion upon him/her,
to restore him/her,
to heal him/her,
to strengthen him/her,
to enliven him/her.
The One will send him/her, speedily,
a complete healing --
healing of the soul and healing of the body --
along with all the ill,
among the people of Israel and all humankind,
soon,
speedily,
without delay,
and let us all say: Amen!
The prayer in Hebrew transliteration...
Mi Sheberakh
Avoteinu: Avraham, Yitzhak, v'Yaakov,
v'Imoteinu: Sarah, Rivka, Rachel v'Leah,
Hu yivarekh virapei
et haholeh/haholah _____________ ben/bat ______________
HaKadosh Barukh Hu
yimalei rahamim alav/aleha,
l'hahalimo/l'hahlimah,
u-l'rap'oto/u-l'rap'otah,
l'hahaziko/l'hazikah,
u-l'hay-oto/u-l'hay-otah.
V'yishlah lo/lah bim-hera
r'fuah shlemah,
r'fu-at hanefesh u-r'fu-at hagoof,
b'tokh sh'ar holei Yisrael v’holei yoshvei tevel,
hashta ba'agalah u-vizman kariv,
v'no-mar, Amen!
_______________________________________________________________________
The following prayers were written by Rabbi Naomi Levy in her book Talking to God, Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration (New York, Knopf Press 2002)
A Prayer for Healing
I am sick, God, And I am frightened, I feel so alone, I am scared of doctor. I am scared of pain and uncertainty, of feeling helpless.
Be with me, God. Be there when others fail me. Be my strength and my protector. Be my friend.
Hear me, God. Heal me, God. Lead me back to strength, God, back to health, back to life, back to you. Amen.
A Prayer Before Surgery
I am scared, God, I feel vulnerable. I don’t like feeling helpless.
I am worried. So before my surgery I pray:
I place my body and soul in Your hands. Please watch over me, God, in the operating room. Stay beside me. Never leave me. Strengthen my will to live. Enlighten my doctors and nurses with the skill, wisdom, and insight to mend and cure me properly. Let this procedure go smoothly without complication. Watch over my loved ones who are worrying about me now. Remind me that I am resilient. That I can and will grow stronger each day. Bless me, God, with Your healing power, protect me from all harm, shield me from pain. And when I wake, God, give me the courage and passion to fight for the sacred treasure You have granted me: my life. Amen
A Prayer to Say When a Loved One is in Surgery
God, Watch over _______ during her surgery. Stay beside her. Protect her. Shield her.from fear and pain. Bless her doctors and nurses with wisdom and strength. May they bring us good news.
Spread Your healing power over _______. Return her to us, God whole and strong. Amen.
A Blessing for Healing
(May be done with laying on of hands)
May God heal you, body and soul. May your pain cease. May your strength increase. May your fears be released. May blessings, love and joy surround you. Amen.
A Prayer After Surgery
Thank You, God. Thank you for my life. Thank You for seeing me through. Thank You for this wondrous new day. Thank You for tomorrow’s hope, for the miracle of medicine and the skills of my doctors and nurses, for the power to heal and grow, for the gift of a new beginning. Amen.
A Pray for Loved Ones to Recite After Surgery
Thank You, God. ___________ has safely emerged from surgery. Thank You for restoring him to us, for turning our fear into joy.
Bless ________ with your healing light. Watch over him, God; protect him from all harm. Help him to recover quickly. May he grow stronger and stronger each day. Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________
In the book Jewish Pastoral Care: A Practical Handbook by Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman there is a section “From the Depths: The use of Psalms” by Rabbi Simka Y. Weinberg which gives the very useful material which follows:
Over the centuries, certain psalms have become associated with particular moments or transitions in life. For example;
For times of communal distress: Psalms 20, 28, 85, 86, 102, 130 and 142
For recovery from illness: Psalms 6, 30, 41, 88 and 103
For thanksgiving: Psalms 9, 21, 57, 95, 116 and 138
On a wedding day: Psalm 19
At the birth of a child: Psalms 20, 139
On the day of a brit milah: Psalm 12
When traveling: Psalm 91
When seeking repentance: Psalms 51, 90
When visiting a gravesite: Psalms 33, 16, 17, 72, 91, 104, 130
Some have identified the following thirty-six psalms as particularly suited to the spiritual needs of a sick person and concerned relatives and friends: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 41, 49, 55, 56, 69, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 102, 103, 104, 107, 116, 118, 128, 142 and 143.
Many people come to pastoral caregivers with a thirst for something to do, a craving for words to say. A wonderful gift to those who want and need such practice is to open up and read a psalm (or two or three) for their personal devotion, the private service of their heart. Read a well-chosen psalm with them, and then explore how to work it into their day:
A woman, aged forty-two, who was dealing simultaneously with a divorce, a serious medical diagnosis, insensitive rejection by a community, and an adolescent daughter who was acting out was looking for “a Jewish place to retreat.” She spoke at length with her rabbi who, as a pastoral caregiver, worked with her to explore and more clearly to articulate what she was seeking. They decided together that her home and her workplace had to become that “retreat” and as part of that project she began to say, study and chant Psalm 30 three times a day, in a quiet, private space.
Adonai, my God, I extol You for You have lifted me up
and now allowed enemies to rejoice over me.
Adonai, my God, I cried out to You and You healed me.
Adonai, You lifted my nefesh/my being from She’al.
You revived me from descent into the Pit.
Shema/Hear, Adonai. Have mercy on me! Adonai – be my help!
You turn my lament into dancing; You undo my sackcloth
and gird me with joy! So that my whole being praises to
You so I am not silent Adonai, my God.
I will thank/praise you for ever.