Good Tidings: Jewish Wisdom on Healing Through Faith, Joy, and Positive Words PART 1

It is a great mitzvah to bring light and joy to someone who is ill — to speak gently, encourage them, and share uplifting words that strengthen them. One should try to bring good news, as Shlomo Hamelech wrote: “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy.” (Mishlei 15:30)

If a critically ill person has lost a loved one, it is best not to tell them. If they do hear the news, they should not tear their garments or witness public mourning, in order to preserve their emotional stability. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 337:1)

Silence Is Golden

If a person suffers from a life-threatening illness for which there is no known cure, one must not tell them that their condition is terminal. Such knowledge can break their heart, destroy hope, and weaken their spiritual resilience.

When the sick place their trust in God and pray for healing, they can overturn even harsh decrees — for as the Talmud teaches: “Even when a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, he should not despair of mercy.” (Berachot 10a)

A person should pray continuously and with faith, even if earlier prayers seem unanswered. “Hope in the Lord, be strong, and He will strengthen your heart — and hope again in the Lord” (Tehillim 27:14). The Sages explain: pray, and if not answered, pray again — for perhaps the first time was not a moment of favor, and the next time will be.

The Meiri wrote that sincere prayer can annul decrees entirely. Likewise, the Talmud teaches: “One who has a sick person in his home should go to a sage to pray for mercy on his behalf.”
(Bava Batra 116a) Because Torah scholars are constantly immersed in divine wisdom, their prayers carry special spiritual strength.

The Rema added that one should seek out a Torah scholar “in one’s own city,” for there is a spiritual bond between a teacher and his community. Rabbi Chaim Palagi and others wrote that such a connection allows the sage’s prayer to channel divine compassion more directly.

The Strength of Faith and the Power of Prayer

The great rabbis told many stories demonstrating this principle. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin wrote of Rabbi David HaLevi (the Taz), who once told a mother whose child was gravely ill: “The Torah I study right now with my students — I give it as a gift for your son’s merit, that he may live. For the Torah says: ‘It is your life, and through it you shall prolong your days.’” And the child recovered.

As Rabbenu Bachya wrote: “The power of prayer is great enough to change nature itself. Nothing is beyond God, for He is the faithful and merciful healer.”

When to Inform the Patient

At times, it may be impossible to conceal the truth — for example, when medical treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy is required, and the patient must understand their condition to cooperate fully. In such cases, it is permissible to tell them, since the disclosure serves their healing.

However, whenever possible, it is better not to inform the patient of the full gravity of their illness, so as not to cause despair.

“You Shall Go Out in Joy” — The Healing Power of Optimism

If a patient asks the doctors about their condition, the answer should always instill hope: “With God’s help, there is good reason to believe you will recover,” even if the prognosis seems poor. A hopeful heart strengthens the body and spirit.

As the verse hints: “For you shall go out in joy” (Yeshayahu 55:12) — joy itself is a path to liberation from suffering.

Doctors who reveal grim details that crush hope commit a grave wrong. Even if the patient insists on knowing, or claims to forgive any pain caused by honesty, it remains forbidden to sadden them — especially when despair could worsen their condition.

The Torah’s moral code does not align with modern “medical ethics” that prioritize full disclosure over emotional well-being. As the Talmud said: “The best of doctors is destined for Gehinnom” (Kiddushin 82a) — referring to those who ignore spiritual compassion in pursuit of professional detachment.

Sadness Is Not from Heaven

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (Ben Ish Chai, Aderet Eliyahu) wrote: “Know, my friend, that sadness is not only pain of the soul — it also harms the body, bringing illness. All suffering comes from Heaven, decreed for divine reasons — but sadness is man-made. It was never decreed from above, for sadness is despised by God.”

Even when one suffers, it is better to accept the hardship with faith and joy, trusting that God wishes to test and elevate the soul. Depression often stems from a lack of faith — for one who truly trusts in God cannot fall into despair.

Thus, sadness is not destiny; it is a choice. One must awaken joy and gratitude within the heart, for joy itself is healing.

The Wisdom of Silence and Discretion

It is best not to publicize the illness of someone who is gravely ill, lest it weaken their fortune. However, if their condition worsens, it is permitted to spread word so that many can pray for their recovery.

Stories abound of people who recovered after keeping their illness private, trusting fully in God. Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira advised one man with cancer to destroy all medical photos and keep his condition confidential; afterward, he was healed. “Because the miracle was hidden,” said the Rabbi, “it was allowed to occur.”

The Power of Parental Prayer

Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach once advised a man who had fallen ill abroad: tell your parents about your illness, even if it worries them — for their prayers and tears have great power in Heaven. “You may not be able to help yourself,” he said, “but a father’s prayer and a mother’s tear can open the gates of mercy. Never deprive yourself of that merit.”

Why He Was Granted Life Again

The Sages taught: “Three people God loves — one who does not anger, one who avoids drunkenness, and one who forgives others.”

The Midrash tells of Rabbi Huna, who fell ill and was declared dead, but later revived. When his students asked how he merited life again, he replied: “Because I never stood on my dignity or held grudges. The angels debated my fate until one declared: ‘This man never insists on his honor — let him live!’ And they released me from death.” (Otzar HaMidrashim; cf. Rosh Hashanah 17a)

Healing Through Hope and Faith

Jewish wisdom teaches that emotional strength and faith are inseparable from physical healing. To speak kindly, inspire hope, pray with sincerity, and maintain joy are not just moral ideals but spiritual medicine.

When the heart is uplifted, the soul itself becomes a vessel for life and blessing. As the verse says: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Mishlei 17:22)