Points About Visiting the Sick

We likewise learn in a Beraisa that one who enters to visit the sick must not sit neither upon the bed or upon a chair; rather, he should enwrap himself and sit before the ill person, because the Divine Presence is found above the head of the sick person, as the verse states (Tehillim 41:4) ‘HaShem will support him on the sick bed.’ - Shabbos 12b

The Mitzvah of visiting the sick (Bikkur Cholim) is an important one. Here is a presentation of some of the points regarding the proper fulfillment of this Mitzvah.

• The Mitzvah of visiting the sick is not only for life-threatening illnesses. One is obligated to visit a person who is suffering for a non-life-threatening illness as well.
• There are two parts to the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim:
  a) To ascertain that the needs of the sick person are being addressed and satisfactorily effectuated. The Poskim point out that it is not necessary that the visitors themselves deal with these needs, they must simply be assured that the needs are being met.
  b) To pray and request the mercy of HaShem on behalf of the sick person. Whoever has not beseeched for mercy on behalf of the sick person has not fulfilled his obligation.
  Both of these elements are described independently as being the essence of the Mitzvah.
• It is imperative that the visitor not impose upon the sick person. Occasionally the sick persons may be too tired or weak to speak, however in order to honor the visitor they would exert themselves. One must be sensitive to this matter.
• One must be concerned with the emotional wellbeing of the sick person and his family and/or attendants. Those who visit and offer unsolicited and unnecessary advice, such as which doctor to consult or which medicines are needed, frequently confuse and/or create discomfort for those attending to the sick person. As well, the visitor must not show fear, sadness, and/or apprehension to the family, and surely not to the ill persons themselves.
• Status or social standing are not factors in the Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim. Thus, a great person is obligated to visit an ill person, even if there is a marked difference in their social or status standings. They should visit, if necessary, even many times in the course of the day. The more they visit, the better, as long as they do not impose upon the sick person.
• The visitor should be sitting higher than the level that the sick person is laying. One should neither sit at the head or the feet of the bed. As well, one should comport themselves with the proper respect and seriousness.
• If one is unable to physically go and visit the ill, one does fulfill a Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim by phoning them, although it is not the complete fulfillment of the Mitzvah.