33. Who is Considered Sick?

Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchot Bein Adam L’Chaveiro

1.   With respect to the mitzvah of bikur cholim, a “choleh” certainly includes one who is dangerously ill. It also includes a sick person who is bedridden or unable to function normally and requires significant assistance, as in the story with Rabbi Akiva mentioned yesterday (Zera Chaim; V’ein Lamo Michshol, p.215).

2.   One who has a minor ailment, such as a cold or headache, is not included in the mitzvah according to most opinions. However, the mitzvah would include one who is homebound or a woman on bedrest during pregnancy (Bikur Cholim B’halacha Ub’agadah, p.28; R. Aaron Glatt, Visiting the Sick, p. 22). For more information concerning the subject of who is considered sick with respect to bikur cholim, see https://www.thehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Vol10Issue9.pdf