By: Harav Elysha Sandler / 5 Nisan 5780

Picture the vivid scene of a Torah scroll uncovered, laying on the bimah in the center of the shul. Its lessons absorbed and its timeless message just received by the attentive congregation—a truly auspicious moment! And now, it is time for the gabbai to intone the Mi Shebeirach Lacholim, the prayer for the wellbeing of the bedridden and infirm, due to illness. Their names are inserted, the prayer is recited, and the entire congregation responds with a fervent, “Amen!”

But why in front of the Torah scroll? Explains R’ Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer Vol. 5, Ramat Rachel, 17) that it is a time of immense Heavenly Mercy, and also a time at which all present fuel the prayer with a unified and heartfelt “Amen.”

We are presently incapable of reciting the Mi Shebeirach in the presence of our congregations or in front of an open Torah scroll. We may nevertheless collectively pray for our brothers and sisters whose health has deteriorated and whose lives have been challenged as a result of the highly infectious Covid-19 virus.

As we listen to this poignant melody and lyrics, our hearts fill with longing and hope. Let us insert their names, and pray together as a large, unified, congregation.

Amen!

Harav Elysha Sandler serves as the Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Sh’or Yashuv and as Mora D’asra of Kehilas Bais Yisroel in Far Rockaway. He is the author of “Sparkling Speech” and “Through Music and Song: Music from a Torah perspective“.