Heal Us Now
Music and English Text: Leon Sher, 2002 Hebrew Text: Healing Liturgy, Numbers 12:13, Pslams:145:18, 85:10
Lauren Furman, Voice and Joyce Rosenzweig, Piano
R'faeinu Adonai v'neirafeh, hoshi-einu v'nivasheah. El karov, l'chol korav, ach karov, li-reav, yishoh.
Heal us Adonai, and we shall be healed. Save us and we shall be saved. God is close to all who call out to God. Surely, help is near to all who call out to God.
“We pray for healing of the body. We pray for healing of the soul. For strength of flesh and mind and spirit. We pray to once again be whole.”
El na, r'fa na lah, r'fuat hanefesh, u'r'fuat ha-guf, r'fua sh'leimah.
Oh God, please heal us now; healing of the soul and healing of the body, a complete healing.
This piece weaves together healing liturgy, biblical text and psalms. We hear Moses’ voice as he calls out to God to heal Miriam, “El Na R’fana La.” We are reminded that there are times in our lives when we need healing of the mind, of the body and of the spirit. The passionate melody echoes our fervent cries to God for healing. This text reassures us with conviction: “God is karov/close to all who call out to God. Surely help is near to all who call out to God.”