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Visiting the Sick: Difference between revisions
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==Obligation== | ==Obligation== | ||
# When a person is sick there’s a mitzvah (positive commandment) to visit the sick as we see that Hashem visited Avraham when he was sick after his Brit Milah. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, S"A YD 335:1. The Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:1) writes that visiting the sick is a mitzvah derabbanan (rabbinic). See Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1 for a list of people who say its from the torah as well as a list who say its rabbinic. Mourning in Halacha 1:2-3 says that the reward for this mitzva is great, and benefits the one who fulfills it both in this world and the next. </ref> | # When a person is sick there’s a mitzvah (positive commandment) to visit the sick as we see that Hashem visited Avraham when he was sick after his Brit Milah. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, S"A YD 335:1. The Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:1) writes that visiting the sick is a mitzvah derabbanan (rabbinic). See Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1 for a list of people who say its from the torah as well as a list who say its rabbinic. Mourning in Halacha 1:2-3 says that the reward for this mitzva is great, and benefits the one who fulfills it both in this world and the next. </ref> | ||
# One who has the opportunity to fulfill visiting the sick and comforting the dead should first visit the sick, however, if he can only fulfill one of the two he should comfort the mourner. <Ref>Kitzur S"A 193:11 </ref> | # One who has the opportunity to fulfill visiting the sick and comforting the dead should first visit the sick, however, if he can only fulfill one of the two he should comfort the mourner. <Ref>Kitzur S"A 193:11, Rambam Hilchot Avel 14:7, Rama Y"D 335:10, Aruch Hashulchan Y"D 335:12. </ref> If one has time to do both, visiting the sick should be done first, because the aid provided to the sick person is considered like saving his life. <ref>Mourning in Halacha 1:10) </ref> Also, visiting the sick certainly takes precedence over this and all other mitzvot, if the life threatening needs of the sick person are not being taken care of. (Mourning in Halacha 1:10 quoting Igrot Moshe O"C IV:40:11 </ref> And if one knows something that will help the sick person then visiting the sick has precedence over comforting a mourner. <ref>Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:12 </ref> | ||
# The mitzvah applies even when the sick person is in the hospital and is taken care of by doctors and nurses. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim, pg 41) explaining that certainly there is a purpose to encourage and pray for the sick person and it's included in Ahavta LeReacha Kamocha. </ref> | # The mitzvah applies even when the sick person is in the hospital and is taken care of by doctors and nurses. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim, pg 41) explaining that certainly there is a purpose to encourage and pray for the sick person and it's included in Ahavta LeReacha Kamocha. </ref> | ||
# No beracha is recited over this mitzva. <ref> Mourning in Halacha 1:4, Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1. see both of those sources for reasons. </ref> | # No beracha is recited over this mitzva. <ref> Mourning in Halacha 1:4, Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1. see both of those sources for reasons. </ref> | ||
