Tehillim 13 — How to Raise a Sick Person from Bed

Tehillim 13 — How to Raise a Sick Person from Bed

1.  Tehillim 13:6

the Ari HaKadosh (zchuto yagen aleinu) teaches that the gematria of the word “choleh” (a sick person) is 49.

From the counting of the days of the Omer, we know of the 49 levels of impurity, corresponding to the 50th level of holiness. The Ari HaKadosh explains that when a person is ill, he lacks a spark from Sha'ar HaNun (the Gate of the 50th level), and this deficiency creates a place for illness.

ילי has a gematria of 50, providing the energy of the 50th Level of Holiness.

This is one of the 72 Names of HaShem, formed from the three verses describing the Jews' crossing of Yam Suf in Parashat Beshalach, and it has the power to raise a sick person from bed.

the Arizal (zechuto yagen aleinu) taught that this Name possesses the power of Refuah Shlemah—to raise a sick person from bed. He reveals the power of this Name to heal the sick through the Talmud.

The Talmud, in Berakhot (folio 5), contains a remarkable story.

Rabbi Hiyya ben Abba was ill. When Rabbi Yohanan came to visit him, he asked:

— Do you desire these afflictions?

— I desire neither these afflictions nor their reward.

Rabbi Yohanan was ill. When Rabbi Hanina came to visit him, he asked: — Do you desire these afflictions? — I desire neither these afflictions nor their reward. — Then give me your hand! Rabbi Hanina said. Rabbi Yohanan extended his hand to him, and Rabbi Hanina healed him.

Why, then, did Rabbi Yohanan not heal himself? The Sages say: “ein chavush matir atzmo mi-beit ha-isurim”—(a prisoner cannot free himself from prison)—someone else must extend a hand and pull him out.

Rabbi Eleazar was ill. When Rabbi Yohanan came to visit him, he saw that Rabbi Eleazar was lying in darkness. He bared his forearm, and the room became illuminated [so beautiful was Rabbi Yohanan]. Rabbi Yohanan noticed that Rabbi Eleazar was crying and asked him:

— Why are you crying? If it is because of Torah, because you did not increase your learning, it is known that whether one does much or little, the essential thing is to direct one's heart toward Heaven. If it is because of your livelihood, not everyone can eat from two tables [and be both wealthy and learned]. If it is because of your children, look here—the bone of my tenth son.

— I am crying over this beauty, which will eventually turn to dust, Rabbi Eleazar replied.

— That is certainly something worth crying over, Rabbi Yohanan said.

In Aramaic, “give me your hand” is “yehav le-yade”—the roshei tevot (initial letters) form the Holy Name of HaShem, ילי.