37. What to Do During a Bikur Cholim Visit (Part 2)

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.      When visiting the sick, one should make sure not to impose excessively on the patient and become a burden on them. Therefore, if the sick individual does not appear to desire company at that time, the visitor should not linger there, but leave after a few minutes (Gesher Hachaim, vol.1, 1:3:1). If one suspects or is told that even a short visit may not be beneficial, one can consider fulfilling the mitzvah at least partially via one of the technological methods mentioned previously, such as a phone call, video call, text message, or email.

2.       If upon arrival one sees that the sick individual is sleeping, the visitor should not wake him or her, even if the visitor has traveled a long distance. If the visitor cannot wait, one can write a note informing the patient that he or she came to visit and is praying for the patient (R. Mordechai Eliyahu, Maamar Mordechai, Y.D. 3:21). One who visits in this situation still fulfills the mitzvah (see https://www.thehalacha.com/wp-content/uploads/Vol10Issue9.pdf).