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Can one make a Mi Shebeirach for an ill person if they do not know the mother's name?

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If they know the father's name they can say that instead (Yabia Omer 2:11).

If they do not know the father's name either, the Nishmas Avraham (vol. 4 42:13) writes in the name of Rabbi Elyashuv that they should say "bas Avraham" - see there at length.

I have personally heard "bas Sarah" being used rather than "bas Avraham".

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  • This only works if they are Jewish. – Double AA♦ Feb 8 '13 at 2:14
  • Does the Nishmas Avraham say we should say "ploni(t) ben/bas bas Avraham", to mention ploni(t)'s mother without knowing her name, or just "ploni(t) ben/bas Avraham"? – magicker72 Mar 3 '16 at 20:27
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    Rav Soloveitchik in Divrei HaRav holds that l'chatchalia that one should use the father's name. – sam Mar 3 '16 at 20:31
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    Why is this such a big deal? HaShem knows who it is. Just say the full name? – Yehoshua Mar 4 '16 at 10:36

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