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Visiting the Sick: Difference between revisions
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# 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> | # 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. | # 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> | ||
# A person should not enter the room of a sick person suddenly, lest he walk in | # A person should not enter the room of a sick person suddenly, lest he walk in on the sick person in an undignified psituation. </ref> Mourning in Halachah 1:34 </ref> | ||
on the sick person in an undignified psituation. </ref> Mourning in Halachah 1:34 </ref> | |||
==How often== | ==How often== | ||
# There is no maximum measure to this mitzvah and the one who visits the sick more often is praiseworthy, even multiple times in one day, as long as it isn’t a burden on the sick person. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52), S"A YD 335:2, Rambam Hilchot Avel 14:4 </ref> | # There is no maximum measure to this mitzvah and the one who visits the sick more often is praiseworthy, even multiple times in one day, as long as it isn’t a burden on the sick person. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52), S"A YD 335:2, Rambam Hilchot Avel 14:4 </ref> | ||
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* 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 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. | * 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.]. | * 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> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
