--Kehillat Moriah's Bikur Cholim Program--

Mitzvah Mania: Bikur Cholim

Project: Visiting the Sick

What is Bikur Cholim?

When a person is sick and the illness is not contagious, it is a mitzvah for friends and relatives to visit and to attempt to relieve the person of his discomfort, boredom, and possible fright. The Rabbis of the Talmud teach us that the company and reassurance provided when visiting the sick usually helps a friend to get well again. (Nedarim 40a). In fact, the Talmud considers Bikur Cholim as a mitzvah to which no limit is prescribed. (Shabbat 127a). The more you do it, the "greater" the mitzvah. We learn that the way to learn and perform this mitzvah is by doing. When the illness is a prolonged one, the mitzvah should be performed and repeated several times.

Performing the Mitzvah:

As with many other mitzvot, the Jewish community did not leave the mitzvah only for the individual to perform. Together, as a community, certain mitzvot were performed. Every community had a Bikur Cholim Society.

1. Come join Kehillat Moriah's Bikur Cholim Committee. We are continueing this community tradition by doing the following:

a- Making phone calls

b- Sending get well cards

c- Visiting the sick at home as well as in the hospital

d- Submitting the names of people with serious illnesses to the Rabbi so that the mishaberach, the prayer to help the sick, my be recited on their behalf at the next Torah reading. The mishaberach is to give strength and courage.

2. Plan an annual visit to your local nursing home or hospital children's ward to visit the sick. In such cases, we try to entertain those who are sick. (Plays, cantatas, songs, stories, and games are just fine.) An ideal time for this annual visit might be at Chanukah or Purim but you do not need to limit your visit to these times.

3. A Jew gives Tzedakah when he or she hopes and prays for an individual's speedy recovery. The Tzedakah you give to Kehillat Moriah's Cholim Fund benefits the children with special needs.

4. In situations where an illness is contagious and visiting is not allowed you can:

a. Possibly visit or call the family members to inquire if there is anything you can do to help

b. Bring a plant, book, game, or puzzle, etc. over to the sick person's home so that he or she will have something to occupy the time.