Q. What is Bikur Cholim?
A. Bikur Cholim is the mitzvah (Torah commandment) of visiting the sick. The mitzvah of Bikur Cholim is also included in the general mitzvah of loving your friend as yourself, V’ahavta L’reacha Kamocha. (Vayikra/Leviticus 19:18)
We all know the lonely feeling of a bedridden patient. A visit by a caring and cheerful friend can go a long way.
A visit can benefit the sick person in many ways:
- When visiting the sick, one notices specific needs of the patient. Perhaps they can use a fresh meal, or maybe just a drink of water. They may have been lying for days unable to access their basics. Maybe just a little cleanup will change the atmosphere!
- Observing the weak state of the sick person may awaken the visitor to pray on their behalf with extra fervor. The visitor can pray by reciting the common Jewish prayers for the sick, or with their own words. A passionate prayer has unlimited power to evoke Heavenly mercy on behalf of one’s friend!
- The sick may feel sad and lonely, so cheerful company can illuminate their day. When appropriate, the visitor can offer words of hope and encouragement. Kind words can have an everlasting effect.
(See Tur and Beit Yosef Yorah De’ah, 335)
When performing Bikur Cholim one should be sure to fulfill all of these components of the Mitzvah:
- Be attentive to the patient’s needs.
- Sincerely pray on behalf of the patient.
- Brighten the patient’s mood with a smile and encouraging words!
Visiting the sick is a great mitzvah. Our sages (Shabbat 127a) tell us that visiting the sick is a mitzvah in which “one reaps from its reward in this world, while the principle reward remains for the (eternal) world to come.”[1]
The following story illustrates the Torah perspective on caring for the sick:
Rav Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (1878-1953), better known as the “Chazon Ish,” was from the greatest halachic (Torah law) authorities of the twentieth century. A doctor once met with him to inquire about various ethical dilemmas he had encountered at work. During the course of the conversation, the doctor mentioned a patient who was lying in the hospital under his care who had no family and was extremely lonely and sad. His gloomy mood was negatively affecting his dwindling state of health.
When the doctor arrived at work the next morning, he was utterly surprised to see none other than the Chazon Ish himself sitting beside this patient, comforting him, lifting his spirit, and letting him know that someone really cared…
By Rabbi Mayer Smith
[1] Bearing in mind the significance of this mitzvah, many Jewish communities have established incredible organizations in the name of “Bikur Cholim.” These organizations spread across Orthodox communities worldwide and offer an array of services for the sick, which range from hospital visits to patient advocacy, hot meals, and the like – all at no charge!
