Q. Does one say a special tefila or bracha before taking any medicine constantly taken with Hashem's name? Does one say it on Shabbat or Yom Tov?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 230: based on Talmud Brochos 60a), does indeed rule that before bloodletting one should recite the bracha of “Yehi ratzon milfanecha, Hashem Elo-hai, she’yehai eisek zeh li li’refuah ki rofai chinam atta," (May it be Your will, Hashem my G-d, that this activity will bring healing to me, for You are the free Healer).
Mishna Berura (ibid. 6) maintains that this blessing is recited on every medical act of healing one performs, and its purpose is to ascertain in ones mind, that the healing depends only on Hashem and one should place his trust and hope in Him.
Aruch Hashulchan (ibid. 5) opines that it should be said with Hashem's name as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch. However, Piskei Teshuvos (ibid. n. 12) quotes contradicting sources.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it should be also said before any ingestion of all medicines, even when they are daily and constant. If done with proper kavana and intention, Hashem's name can be used.
On Shabbos and Yom Tov the Rov maintains that this tefilah should not be said, although one that visits the sick does give him a brocho.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
