One of the mitzvos where a person who fulfills it enjoys the fruits in this world but the principle remains intact for him in the next world is Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick. What are the reasons for Bikur Cholim?
The Tur tells us that one reason for this mitzvah is in order to motivate the visitor to daven for their recovery. Then it is considered as if he renewed the sick person’s life. In fact, the Rema cites that one who visits a sick person and doesn’t daven for him hasn’t fulfilled this mitzvah.
Another reason for this mitzvah is to tend to any needs that are not being attended to. Indeed, bikur means to check and to tend to as in avakeir es tzoni, I will tend to My sheep. Bikur is also related to boker, morning, since that is when things are clear and bright. This is what a person must do for a sick person — brighten his day, encourage him, buy him a present and the like.
