[Avodah] Is it permitted to say Tehilim for a sick person?

[Micha Berger]

On Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 12:34:12PM -0400, Zev Sero wrote:
> Prof. Levine wrote:
>> I think that anyone reading the subject line would answer in the  
>> affirmative. Yet the post at http://tinyurl.com/26yqak5 says
...
>> He also says that one is not allowed to make a meshebeirach for a sick  
>> person! 

> The fact that he reaches such a bizarre conclusion, which blatantly
> contradicts Tanach and the Gemara, proves that his premises are wrong.

(I am agreeing. Since it is me, writing in reply to RZS, that might not
be your default assumption. <grin>)

Chumash: Keil na, refah na lah.

There is a difference between davening, and trying to invoke G-d
theurgically, using formula in an attempt to "force" Him into healing
someone. The Rambam was vehemently against magical thinking, but he
didn't take "Refa'einu" out of Shemoneh Esrei.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha