A Rabbi Discusses Spiritual Healing

Show Notes Episode #13

In Episode #4 of "The Art of Medicine with Dr. Andrew Wilner," Rabbi Jeremy Simons and I broached the topic of spiritual healing. The response to that program was so enthusiastic that I wanted to further the discussion. Rabbi Abraham (Abie) Schacter was kind enough to join me on Episode #13 to share his insights.

Rabbi Abie is Director of Spiritual Care at the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center in Memphis, TN, and also a Board Certified Chaplain. He grew up in Yonkers, NY, went to Rabbinical school where he was exposed to “Health Care Chaplaincy.” Rabbi Abie found his calling when he did a summer internship in clinical pastoral education at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

While tending to people with life-threatening illness, he realized there was an incredible opportunity for him to “make a difference in people’s lives.” He continued his pastoral training with a one-year residency at Methodist Hospital in Memphis, TN. (Methodist Hospital is just down the road from where I work.)

Rabbi Abie explained that even if you can’t cure someone’s illness, you can always try to heal. He spoke of the “power of pausing” to allow a person’s emotions to surface and become part of a healing conversation. Even if a cure is beyond reach, improved coping skills, decreased anxiety and stress, and increased inner strength can still result.

I thoroughly enjoyed my 20-minute conversation with Rabbi Abraham Schacter and wish we could have talked longer!

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