Rabbi Bonita Taylor on the healing power of chanting

El Na R’Fa Na - Please Divine One Please Heal (Numbers 12:13)

“Chanting is like breathing... The chant is a numinous ribbon anchoring the person to the universe, linking the human and divine, an intimate expression of the soul ... To hear a ... chant in its depth and power is haunting. It’s as if the sound comes from a place in the body that is like an internal seashell that floats in the cosmic tides long after the physical body is gone. It is the primal human cry for meaning.”

I’ve been chanting for the last 4 years. It’s part of a deep-breathing program that is helping my body detoxify from excessive mercury and lead. According to my teacher, the Rev. Joan Witkowski of the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, chanting, especially when it’s combined with intentional breathwork, helps our cells take in — and use — oxygen, without which we cannot survive. In addition, “when vibrations of elongated sounds resonate throughout our bodies, they synchronize and balance our brain waves, and assist our bodies in opening up and becoming freer.”

Most — if not all — spiritual traditions chant. Three years ago, I began to integrate chanting and breathwork with my daily spiritual practice. In Judaism, each week is accompanied by a portion of the Torah. In May 2003, I was studying the upcoming portion that includes Numbers 12:13. Miriam had become ill and — as custom dictated — was shut out of the camp. Her brother, Moses, appeals to G-d in what is thought to be the shortest prayer in the Torah: El Na R’Fa Na La – Please Divine One Please Heal Her. Blessedly, I had been improving steadily; however, it had become clear to me that I still had a long way to go. When I approached this portion, Moses’ earnest yet passionate prayer touched my spirit and I began to chant it spontaneously, first in Hebrew and then in English. For I, too, was feeling shut out of the camp — as do many people that I have chaplained who suffer from prolonged states of medical distress.

During the summer of 2003, I shared this chant with Joan, who has since used it to good effect with other students. In January 2004, during the annual NAJC Conference, I shared it with my colleague Rabbi David J. Zucker, first as an indoor sitting chant and then, as an outdoor walking chant. Subsequently, he has led his residents at Shalom Park Senior Care Center in Aurora, CO. “I chant with my seniors — and other congregants — in Shabbat Services and they have become very attached to it. It evokes deep meaning for them.” He also shared it with an APC colleague, the Rev. Patrick Bradley, who has reported upon its significance to his cancer patients in his chaplaincy practice in Wyoming. I have also facilitated it with congregants from my High Holy Day pulpit, several other professional groups, and a few personal friends. Each time, I am asked for copies, and correspondence follows about healing effects that individuals experience after engaging the sacred in this way.

I invite you now to try it. While chanting, please visualize areas that need healing in your own (parts 1 and 3 of the chant) and in another’s spirit and/or body (part 2). I am interested in your comments which may be addressed to btaylor@healthcarechaplaincy.org. In time, G-d brought Miriam back within the camp. May G-d bring us each back within the camp.

PLEASE DIVINE ONE PLEASE HEAL: EL NA R’FA NA LA Numbers 12:13

Take one deep breath and with that one breath:
say each line & hold the final sound for as long as you can ………

1. Please hold final sound ………………
2. Please Divine One hold final sound………….........
3. Please Divine One Please hold final sound………….........
4. Please Divine One Please Heal hold final sound………….........
5. Please Divine One Please Heal Me* hold final sound………….........

a. Please hold final sound………….........
b. Please Divine One hold final sound………….........
c. Please Divine One Please hold final sound………….........
d. Please Divine One Please Heal hold final sound………….........
e. Please Divine One Please Heal Her** hold final sound………….........

1. Please hold final sound………….........
2. Please Divine One hold final sound………….........
3. Please Divine One Please hold final sound………….........
4. Please Divine One Please Heal hold final sound………….........
5. Please Divine One Please Heal Me hold final sound………….........
please say #5*** three times****

EL NA R’FA NA LA: PLEASE DIVINE ONE PLEASE HEAL Numbers 12:13

Take one deep breath and with that one breath:
say each line & hold the final sound for as long as you can ………

1. El hold final sound………….........
2. El Na hold final sound………….........
3. El Na R’Fa hold final sound………….........
4. El Na R’Fa Na hold final sound………….........
5. El Na R’Fa Na Li* hold final sound………….........

a. El hold final sound………….........
b. El Na hold final sound………….........
c. El Na R’Fa hold final sound………….........
d. El Na R’Fa Na hold final sound………….........
e. El Na R’Fa Na La** hold final sound………….........

1. El hold final sound………….........
2. El Na hold final sound………….........
3. El Na R’Fa hold final sound………….........
4. El Na R’Fa Na hold final sound………….........
5. El Na R’Fa Na Li hold final sound………….........
please say #5*** three times****

Notes:
* This is an adaptation. In Numbers, the final Hebrew word of this prayer is “la” or “her” referring to Miriam. Here, we substitute the Hebrew word “li” or “me”. instead of “la” or “her”. There are many precedents within Judaism that encourage us to advocate for ourselves.

** We use the traditional “la” – think of those in your heart – female and/or male - who could use a healing prayer

*** In mystical Judaism, the # “5” is associated with healing, as with the five “fingers” of a chamsa — a healing amulet in the shape of a hand

****In mystical Judaism, the # “3” is a potent symbol of balance, reconciliation, holiness, & completeness