35. Hospitals, Phones, and Other Digital Means

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.       We learned previously that one of the primary reasons for the mitzvah of bikur cholim is to care for the patient’s physical needs. Nevertheless, the mitzvah still applies to visiting patients in the hospital whose medical and physical needs are taken care of, since visitors can often suggest ways to improve the person’s medical care. In addition, the other reasons for the mitzvah of tefillah and companionship certainly still apply (R. Eliezer Waldenberg, Tzitz Eliezer 5, Ramat Rachel 3).

2.       Many poskim maintain that the complete mitzvah of bikur cholim can only be fulfilled in person. However, most agree that one fulfills the mitzvah partially through a phone call (R. Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe, Y.D. 1:223; R. Chaim David HaLevi, Mayim Chayim 3:33). The same would apply to a WhatsApp video chat or Zoom call. These options should certainly be considered for a patient who does not want, or cannot have, visitors. The same would apply to sending a written message (Yechaveh Da’at 3:83).