Jewish prayer for our doctor after baby delivery?

Question

We just had a baby and are scheduled to see our primary care physician very soon. We know he is religious and would appreciate a short prayer, and we were wondering if there are any Jewish prayers intended to be recited in the company of a close family physician.

We are open to any prayer content, but are just looking for a simple thank you prayer and/or something for the health of the baby (which is of course the doctor's firstly priority).

I can read Hebrew, so no transliteration is necessary, but an English translation would be helpful.

Answer 1

Mazal Tov!

I suggest Psalm 128:

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת אַשְׁרֵי כָּל יְרֵא יְהֹוָה הַהֹלֵךְ בִּדְרָכָיו: יְגִיעַ כַּפֶּיךָ כִּי תֹאכֵל אַשְׁרֶיךָ וְטוֹב לָךְ: אֶשְׁתְּךָ | כְּגֶפֶן פֹּרִיָּה בְּיַרְכְּתֵי בֵיתֶךָ בָּנֶיךָ כִּשְׁתִלֵי זֵיתִים סָבִיב לְשֻׁלְחָנֶךָ: הִנֵּה כִי כֵן יְבֹרַךְ גָּבֶר יְרֵא יְהֹוָה: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן וּרְאֵה בְּטוּב יְרוּשָׁלִָם כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ: וּרְאֵה בָנִים לְבָנֶיךָ שָׁלוֹם עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:‏

A song of ascents. Praiseworthy is every man who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. If you eat the toil of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is good for you. Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold that so will a man who fears the Lord be blessed. May the Lord bless you from Zion, and see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see children [born] to your children, [and see] peace upon Israel.

^{(Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg translation, via Chabad.org)}

Aspects of this Psalm that I think fit your situation nicely:

• It's entirely upbeat.

• It's short.

• In referencing "the toil of [a God-fearing person's] hands," it relates to acknowledging the doctor's efforts.

• It refers multiple times to having children as a blessing.

• In particular, I've heard the last verse sung at many celebrations of new babies.

Answer 2

Some people have given their doctors a nice framed copy of A Doctor's Prayer, commonly attributed to Maimonides. Here's an example.