In today’s Jewish Waves of Faith, Rabbi Bernstein talks about healing your pain. We we hope you enjoy this video! Remember that if you need any help, guidance or support, the Alzheimer’s Care Resource Center is here for you. Reach out to us at 561-588-4545
In this piyut we feel the pain of the poet and the people of Israel. He speaks of pain, suffering and affliction and pleads for mercy, healing and consolation. The request is not in the physical sense only but in the spiritual as well- give strength to my soul.
The poet addresses God in a rather uncommon term- expert healer and thus emphasizes the dependence of the individual and the nation God to heal the wounds of the exile and of the personal suffering. God is described as faithful, following the verse in Deuteronomy (7:9): “Know, therefore, that only the Lord your God is God, the steadfast God who keeps His covenant faithfully”.
The Aram Tzuba tradition attributes this piyut to R. Refael Antebi, the greatest poet among the Jews of Aram Tzuba, whereas the Moroccan tradition claims it was written by the poet R. Rafael Edrei, who lived in Morocco in the 20th century.
Refa Tziri- Heal My Pain
Heal my pain Oh Loyal God
For you are a skilled healer
You lead me, You see my weakness
And grant strength to my soul
Open the gate of mercy
High dweller of the heavens
Upon your servant bestow your grace
There would be no mercy if not for You
Oh Living God desire my prayer
And hasten to my aid
And speedily call for the redemption
Of the nation born to the Lady (Sara)
