Bikur cholim

Bikur Cholim ( _he. ביקור חולים; "visiting the sick") refers to the mitzvah, or Jewish religious commandment, to visit and extend aid to the sick. ["Jewish Learning: Visiting the Sick." Jewish Virtual Library. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/sick.html] ] It is considered an aspect of "gemilut chasadim" (benevolence, selflessness, loving-kindness). [Scheib, Ariel. "Visiting the Sick." Jewish Virtual Library. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/visitsick.html] ] It is traditional to recite prayers for healing, such as the "Mi Shebeirach" prayer in the synagogue, and Psalms (especially Psalm 119) on behalf of the sick. [Scheib, "Visiting the Sick."] Bikur cholim societies exist in Jewish communities around the world. The earliest Bikur cholim society on record dates back to the Middle Ages. [ [http://www.bikurcholimcc.org/whatisbc.html What is Bikur Cholim? ] ]

History

The roots of "Bikur cholim" can be traced back to the Torah, when God visits Abraham after his circumcision (Genesis 18:1).

"Bikur cholim" is mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud several times, in Tractate Nedarim 39a, 39b, and 40a. Nedarim 39a and 39b state that " [One must visit] even a hundred times a day" and that "He who visits a person who is ill takes away a sixtieth of his pain." Nedarim 40a says that "anyone who visits the sick causes him to live and anyone who does not visit the sick causes him to die"; it also states that those who visit the sick are spared from the punishments of Gehenna (hell) and that God sustains the sick, citing the Book of Psalms Chapter 31. [ [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et2631.htm Psalms 31 / Hebrew Bible in English / Mechon-Mamre ] ] . According to the Talmud, visits should not be very early or late in the day, and one should not stay too long. Relatives and friends are urged to visit as soon as possible. It is advised that a sick person not be informed of the death of a relative or friend lest it cause more pain. [Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Nedarim, Folio 40a. Trans. H. Freedman. [http://www.come-and-hear.com/nedarim/nedarim_40.html#40a_9] ] [Scheib, "Visiting the Sick."]

Visiting the ill during Shabbat, often after morning services, is a common practice; the House of Shammai opposed this but the House of Hillel viewed this as a mitzvah and the view of Hillel became part of halakha. Additionally, is also permissible to travel on Shabbat if a close relative falls ill. [Scheib, "Visiting the Sick."]

Organizations and Hospitals

*Bikur Cholim, also known as the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, is a nonprofit organization in Greater Los Angeles and California, providing over 30 life-saving services and social support programs for children, adults, and families suffering from serious and life-threatening illness. [ [http://www.bikurcholim.net Bikur Cholim : Home ] ] Its programs and services include physician referrals, help with treatment costs, free loan (g’mach) of medical equipment, visitation, meals, Blood & Bone Marrow program, Direct Donor Blood, Bikur Cholim House, the Living Room, Hearts of Angels Volunteers, Shabbox & Shabbos Closets, Kids Helping Kids, and a multi-media library. The president and founder of the organization is Rabbi Hershy Ten. Working with such hospitals as Childrens Hospital, St. Vincent, Cedars-Sinai, Century City, UCLA, Saint Johns Health Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hospitals, Bikur Cholim opens doors to world-renowned physicians and medical centers. [ [http://www.forward.com/articles/12747/ L.A.’s Latino Mayor Welcomed as One of the Tribe - Forward.com" ] ]

*Bikur Cholim Hospital was established in 1867 in the Old City of Jerusalem. After World War I, the hospital moved to its current premises on Strauss Street in Jerusalem.

ee also

*Altruism
*Yad Sarah
*Hadassah
*Aryeh Levin

References