Visiting the Sick: Difference between revisions

# It is preferable to visit the sick in a group if this is not a burden on the sick for several reasons. If not, it is permissible to visit alone. <ref> Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1 footnote 3a, [[Mourning]] in Halacha 1:33 </ref>

# Even a great person must visit a less important person, and an elder person must visit a young person. <ref> Shulchan Aruch YD 335:2, Rambam Hilchot Avel 14:4, Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:3 see footnote there where he explains that the obligation even applies to visiting a minor. </ref>

==Three main components of visiting the sick==

# The primary aspects of [[visiting the sick]] are 1) to see what the sick person needs 2) to have his friends speak pleasantly with him 3) pray for his health. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:3 </ref>

# A sick person doesn't need to stand in honor of his visitors even if the prince enters, however, if he wants to be strict he is allowed. <ref>Rama YD 376:1, Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] pg 46) </ref>

# When it's possible one should take two others in order to visit the sick. <Ref>The Shiltot (93) writes that one shouldn't visit the sick unless one has two others with him, the Emek Shelah 93:7 writes that this isn't sourced in any sefer before or after the Shiltot. However, Zera Chaim (pg 7) explains that it may be based on the interpretation of Rav Shmuel Ben Chofni Goan who writes that Yosef took his two sons with to visit his father Yacov in order to fulfill [[visiting the sick]] implying that one needs to have others with him when [[visiting the sick]]. Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] pg 42) concludes that when possible it's better together with others, however, one shouldn't miss the mitzvah because of this especially when it causes a burden for the sick person.</ref>

# If one prays in front of the sick person one may pray in any language, however, if one doesn't pray in front of the sick person should only pray in Hebrew. <ref> Shulchan Aruch Y"D 335:5, Aruch Hashulchan Y"D 335:9 </ref> In the [[prayer]] one should include the sick person together with all Jews who are sick saying "המקום ירחם עליך בתוך חולי ישראל" (Hashem should have mercy on you amongst the sick of [[Israel]]). <ref>Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 193:4, Chafetz Chaim in Ahavat Chesed (section 3, chapter 3, pg 221) </ref>

# When one prays for a sick person on [[Shabbat]] one should say "שבת היא מלזעוק ורפואה קרובה לבוא ורחמיו מרובין ושבתו בשלום". <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 193:4, Chafetz Chaim in Ahavat Chesed (section 3, chapter 3, pg 221) </ref>

# One is permitted to pray for a non-Jew to get better. This is certainly true of a convert whose parents still are not Jewish. <ref> Yechave Daat 6:60 </ref>

# One should avoid [[visiting the sick]] during the first or last three (halachic) hours of the day. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:3, Shulchan Aruch YD 335:4, Rambam Hilchot Avel 14:5 based on gemara in Nedarim 40A. Shulchan Aruch YD 335:4 says the reason for this is because during the first three hours of the day the sickness is weaker and the visitor will not be sufficiently stirred to pray for mercy on the sick's behalf, and during the last three hours of the day the sickness is strongest and the visitor will give up on praying on the sick's behalf. Rambam in Hilchot Avel 14:5 says the reason is because this is the time that the needs of the sick person are being taken care of. Chafetz Chaim in Ahavat Chesed (section 3, chapter 3, pg 221) writes that these hours must be [[Shaot Zmaniot]] otherwise there are some days where one can’t visit the sick. </ref>However, if that is the only time one is able to visit the sick one should do it then rather then not visit at all. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim in Ahavat Chesed (section 3, chapter 3, pg 221). Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:8 writes that the minhag isn't strict about this because chazal didn't forbid visiting during these times rather chazal were giving advise when it's best to visit. Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] pg 44) and [[Mourning]] in Halacha 1:7 also write that today we aren't concerned about only visiting during these times. See Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer (Ramat Rachel 12), Shalmat Chaim (411). </ref>

# A sick person must seek expert doctors and medicines and not rely on miracles.<ref>Rambam (Deot 4:1) writes that a person must stay away from things that destroy a person’s body and practice healthy habits. Shevet Yehuda YD 336:1 writes that a sick person must go to the doctor and there’s almost a strong obligation on the sick person and his family to find an expert doctor and good medicine. One may not rely on a miracle. See also Sh”t Yabia Omer 4 CM 6:4(4) who gives the background to this topic and concludes with this approach. Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] 38-9) writes that it seems that the sick person may refuse a certain visitor from coming and it’s not considered an issue of not seeking a way to become healthy, but there may be an issue for the sick person to refuse anyone from visiting him. </ref> However, one must not only rely on doctors rather one must have faith that Hashem will heal him. <ref> Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] pg 53), Bach YD 336 </ref>

# One doesn't fulfill the complete mitzvah by calling the sick person on the phone, rather one must visit in person. However, if one can't visit then one must call. <ref>  

* Sh"t Igrot Moshe YD 1:223 writes that if one can visit in person one must do so, however, if one can't visit then one must call the sick person on the phone. Sh"t Yachave Daat 3:89 agrees. Similarly, Yalkut Yosef ([[Bikur Cholim]] pg 43) writes one doesn't fulfill the complete mitzvah by calling the sick person on the phone, rather one should visit in person. However, if one can't visit then it's good to call or write a letter to strength and encourage him.  

* Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer (Ramat Rachel 8:6) writes that someone who can't visit the sick or a talmid chacham who is learning torah can fulfill his mitzvah partially by calling on the phone. He specifies that in regards to the sick person's needs, if the sick person is in the hospital this isn't a concern, speaking to the sick person can be done over the phone, and praying for him can be done anywhere, yet, it's preferable to pray in front of the sick person. Sh"t Chelkat Yacov YD 188 writes that one doesn't fulfill his primary mitzvah by calling on the phone.  

* Minchat Yitzchak 2:84 also seems to say that if one can't fulfill the mitzvah in person one should call on the phone. In conclusion he writes that before calling one should first speak to the sick person a few times and then after one is familiar with his situation one may call on the phone. [Interestingly Minchat Yitzchak 2:84(10) he raises of fulfilling the mitzvah of [[Bikur Cholim]] through a video conference (such as Skype) and seems to say that it would be better than a phone call.]. See [[Mourning]] in Halacha 1:35, Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:2 for more sources. </ref>

==Sources==

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[[Category:Between Man And His Fellow]]