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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. The Rambam (Hilchot Avel 14:1) writes that visiting the sick is a mitzvah derabbanan (rabbinic). </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> However, 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 </ref> However, 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> | |||
==How often== | ==How often== | ||
# There is no maximum measure to this mitzvah and the one who visits the sick more often is praiseworthy as long as it isn’t a burden on the sick person. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52) </ref> | # There is no maximum measure to this mitzvah and the one who visits the sick more often is praiseworthy as long as it isn’t a burden on the sick person. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52) </ref> | ||
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# An enemy of the one who’s sick shouldn’t visit the sick so that people don’t think that he’s happy because of his downfall. <Ref>Rama YD 335:2, Kitzur S”A 193:1 </ref> Some say that nowadays an enemy may visit since it brings to peace. <ref>Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:4 quoting some say </ref>However, one should be careful that it doesn't cause the sick person to feel that he is very sick and that's why he's coming to visit and really it all depends on the situation. <ref>Divrei Sofrim (Avilut VeBikur Cholim 1:83)</ref> | # An enemy of the one who’s sick shouldn’t visit the sick so that people don’t think that he’s happy because of his downfall. <Ref>Rama YD 335:2, Kitzur S”A 193:1 </ref> Some say that nowadays an enemy may visit since it brings to peace. <ref>Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:4 quoting some say </ref>However, one should be careful that it doesn't cause the sick person to feel that he is very sick and that's why he's coming to visit and really it all depends on the situation. <ref>Divrei Sofrim (Avilut VeBikur Cholim 1:83)</ref> | ||
# A man may visit a woman and a woman a man, however, the man and woman may not be secluded together in order not to violate the laws of seclusion ([[Yichud]]). <ref>Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:11 quoting the Birkei Yosef </ref> However, some say that this isn't proper. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 48) quoting Ramat Rachel (16) </ref> | # A man may visit a woman and a woman a man, however, the man and woman may not be secluded together in order not to violate the laws of seclusion ([[Yichud]]). <ref>Aruch HaShulchan YD 335:11 quoting the Birkei Yosef </ref> However, some say that this isn't proper. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 48) quoting Ramat Rachel (16) </ref> | ||
# Relatives and friends who usually visit the sick person’s house can visit the sick immediately after he becomes sick, however, those who don’t regularly visit shouldn’t visit the sick until after three days. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1 </ref> | # Relatives and friends who usually visit the sick person’s house can visit the sick immediately after he becomes sick, however, those who don’t regularly visit shouldn’t visit the sick until after three days. If the illness is sudden and severe all should visit immediately. <Ref>Kitzur S”A 193:1, S"A YD 335:1, Mourning in Halacha 1:6. </ref> | ||
# One should visit the non-Jew sick people just like one visits the sick Jews. <ref>S"A YD 335:9, Kitzur S"A 193:12, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52)</ref> | # One should visit the non-Jew sick people just like one visits the sick Jews. <ref>S"A YD 335:9, Kitzur S"A 193:12, Yalkut Yosef (Bikur Cholim pg 52)</ref> | ||
# One should visit the sick person even if he has doctors and nurses addressing all of his needs, as this can serve as encouragement for him and aid in his recovery and help him earn mercy from Hashem. <ref> Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1 </ref> | |||
# A sick person may refuse visitors as long as he as others attending to his needs and visiting him, but he cannot refuse all visitation. If he has visitors and will be distressed if other visitors come, he can refuse their visit. <ref> Yalkut Yosef YD chelek 7 1:1 footnote 3 </ref> | |||
# 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> | |||
==Three main components of visiting the sick== | ==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> | # 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> | ||
