Prayer and Blessings
How do we pray for a baby who does not yet have a name?
Question
In Hashem's help, Rabbi Shalom:
My cousin recently gave birth to a baby a few days ago. Unfortunately, the baby is writhing in distress, and we want to pray for his recovery. How can one pray for the recovery of a baby who has not yet received a name? I should note that the parents have already chosen a name for him; they simply have not yet announced it because there has not yet been a brit milah.
Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
One should pray for the complete recovery of the newborn son of so-and-so (Tinok ben mother's name).
Sources: See the response of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, of blessed memory, in the book Ashi Yisrael (chapter 23, note 189) and in the book Daat Noteh, part 1 (page 396, responsum 395). See also the book Ashrei HaIsh, Yoreh Deah, part 2 (chapter 80, section 1), which states that Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, of blessed memory, held that one should say, the baby son of so-and-so daughter of so-and-so, meaning that the mother's mother's name should also be mentioned, since he is not being mentioned by name. Regarding whether it is preferable to give the baby a name before the brit so that one can pray for him while mentioning his name, see Responsa Az Nedaberu, part 13 (siman 73), the book Shulchan Yosef (page 132, note 143), and the book Mitzvat Bikur Cholim (page 69, note 13).
May there be a complete recovery and good news soon!
Hillel Meirs
