A Blessing on Donating a Kidney

A friend who is about to donate a kidney in the hope that his wife will move up on the kidney recipient list looked for a b’rakha or prayer that he could say before his surgery. I offer this one, which could be adapted to be said by any organ donor. The first lines are adapted from Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim.

Rofeh hol basar umafli la’asot

O Miraculous One Who wondrously heals all flesh –

I stand before You today with awe and gratitude – awe at how Your creatures have through Your wisdom discovered how to transplant organs to give new life to those suffering from renal failure, and gratitude that I am blessed with the opportunity to donate one of my kidneys so that another person might live.

Grant, I pray, that my loved one will soon be matched with a donor and thus receive the healing gift of a new kidney.

May (he/she/they) recover completely and know a renewed sense of wholeness and health and a longer, more fulfilled life.

And may I also know a complete and quick recovery so that I can continue to help them and my community and thus continue to do Your work.