refuah

Refuah is a Hebrew noun meaning healing, recovery, or medical treatment. The term is derived from the root r-p-a, relating to making well, and appears in biblical, rabbinic, and modern Hebrew. In contemporary usage, refuah can denote both the process of healing and medical care, for example in phrases such as refuah shleima (complete healing).

In Jewish practice, refuah is central to prayers and blessings for the ill. The customary wish refuah shleima is used to convey hope for a swift and full recovery. In liturgy, the Mi shebeirach prayer—often recited in synagogue to bless the sick—invokes healing, health, and strength for those who are ill and for the community.

Culturally, the concept extends beyond physical health to wholeness of body, mind, and spirit. In modern Hebrew, refuah is used in medical, media, and everyday contexts to discuss health care systems, treatment, and the recovery process. The term can also appear in expressions extolling resilience and emotional or spiritual restoration.

See also: Mi shebeirach; refuah shleima.