Loving Healing

 

Tehilim 147

 

As I was davening the Pesukei D’Zimra (morning blessings of praise) this morning and reached the five closing psalms of Sefer Tehilim (Psalms), I was struck by these two phrases (with gratitude to Sefaria for the translation):

הָ֭רֹפֵא לִשְׁב֣וּרֵי לֵ֑ב וּ֝מְחַבֵּ֗שׁ לְעַצְּבוֹתָֽם:

He heals their broken hearts, and binds up their wounds. (147:3)

 

Or as I understand the targum as articulated by the Siddur Yesod Malchut:

ה׳ מרפא לאלה השבורים בלבם, ומרפא את צערתם: Hashem heals those who are broken in their hearts and heals their anguish.

 

מוֹנֶ֣ה מִ֭סְפָּר לַכּוֹכָבִ֑ים לְ֝כֻלָּ֗ם שֵׁמ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽא

He reckoned the number of the stars; to each He gave its name. (147:4)

Again, with a little bit of help from my friend, the Yesod Malchut targum:

יודע למנות את מספר הכוכבים, ולכל אחד בשם מיוחד יקרא: He knows to count the number of the stars, and He has given each one by a special, individual name, which, as Rabbi Weinberg^נ׳׳י has taught, suggests that each person is counted as important and has a special relationship with Hashem.

I felt that these passages could serve as a kavana (heartfelt intention) for anyone who is ill and suffering, that their pains and anguish can be healed and replaced with the loving, caring healing of Hashem, along with the knowledge that they are uniquely special and much loved by Hashem.

By: Nathan Kruman