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NEW TOPIC: HILCHOS BIKUR CHOLIM
INTRODUCTION:
We will now, B'Ezras Hashem, begin learning the Halachos of the fundamental Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick.
Bikur Cholim is a biblical Mitzvah although it isn't explicitly written in the Torah.
Some Rishonim classify it as an independent Mitzvah. (BeHag Mitzvas Asei 36, Sefer Yereim Siman 219 and Smak Siman 47)
Other Rishonim don't classify Bikur Cholim as an independent Mitzvah and rather classify it as an extension of the Mitzvah of V'Ahavta L'reiacha Kamocha and/or Gemilas Chasadim. (See Rashi to Shabbos 127b top of page and Ramban to Sefer HaMitzvos Shoresh 1 Dibur Hamaschil V'Hateshuva HaRevi'is)
The Posuk (Shmos 18:20) says: "...V'HoDa'atah Lahem Es HaDerech Yeilchu Bah V'Es Hama'aseh Asher Ya'asun...You shall make known to [the Jewish people] the [right] path for them to follow and the [right] things they should do"
The Talmud (Bava Metzia 30b) dissects the aforementioned Posuk as follows: "Es HaDerech" refers to Gemilas Chasadim... "Yeilchu" refers to Bikur Cholim..., as Bikur Cholim is a Mitzvah that generally requires "Halicha, going". (See Prisha to Yoreh Deah Siman 335:3)
The Torah (Devarim 28:9) commands us "...V'Halachta B'Drachav, you shall go in [Hashem's ways]. Chazal derive from here that all Jews are commanded to emulate Hashem's kindness. Just as Hashem has compassion so too must we have compassion on our fellow man, just as Hashem visits the sick so too must we visit the sick etc. ( See Talmud Sotah 14a and Rashi to Bereishis 18:1)
Most Mitzvos that [good upstanding Jews] perform in this world generally do not generate reward in this world; rather the reward is reserved for Olam Haba, the eternal world.
There are a few exceptions to this rule whereas physical reward is given in this world in addition to the spiritual reward given in Olam Haba.
One of the exceptions is Bikur Cholim, for which the reward is received in both worlds. (See Mishna Peah Perek1:1 and Talmud Shabbos 127a for the other Mitzvos that have this unique double reward)
The word "Bikur' is often translated as "visiting" the sick. Although that is definitely a large part of the Mitzvah, it goes much deeper than that.
"Bikur" also means "to inspect" or "scrutinize". (See Talmud Pesachim 96a that a Korban Pesach requires "Bikur" for four days to ensure that no blemishes are present. See also Rashi to Shmos 12:6)
Indeed, the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim requires more than just visiting someone who is ill, it also requires to take an interest in the ill person's situation, to try and fulfill their needs, to talk to them, to comfort them etc., details of which we will now begin to learn.
As always, if you have any questions on this, or any other, topic, please do not hesitate to email me at HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com and I will try my best to provide the answers.
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question
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers. Taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Yahoo.com
Reader's Question:
In your comment about honoring grandparents how does the "din" apply to great grandparents?
Answer:
According to some Poskim the halacha of honoring grandparents extends to great grandparents as well as great great grandparents etc., while others maintain that the obligation does not apply to the fourth generation and above. It is best to be stringent. (See Shvus Yaakov Vol. 2 Siman 94 and Vol. 1 Siman 173 , Mateh Efraim Hilchos Kadish Yasom and Shu"t Minchas Elozor Vol. 3 Siman 33)
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rAV sHACH SPEAKING
CHIZUK CORNER
As a Zechus for the Refuah Shelaima of two of the Gedolei HaDor, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Stein Shlita, R' Chaim Yaakov ben Chasya Miriam and The Rishon L'Tzion, Harav Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, R' Mordechai Tzemach ben Mazal, we will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short Machshava, a Chizuk thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
If you have a short machshava that you think would be appropriate to post here, please email to me at halachaForToday@Yahoo.com for consideration.
קוה אל ד', חזק ויאמץ לבך, וקוה אל ד'
Chizuk For Today:
The Vilna Gaon says that if a something we are doing seems too easy, we should be wary that it may not be a mitzvah and may not be L'shem Shomayim. If, however, it's hard to do a mitzvah, we should know we are onto something good and it's L'shem shomayim.
The Dubno Magid says if we are doing a mitzvah and it's very hard for us to do then something is wrong.
These two thoughts from a Rebbi (The Vilna Gaon) and his talmid (The Dubno Magid) are seemingly a contradiction!
So how do we make the 2 opposite outlooks make sense?
Rav Zev Leff Shlita explains that the Vilna Gaon is talking
about the Hashkafa (outlook) of mitzvah...to get our Hashkafos in place is
hard!
The Dubno Magid is saying, once we have the right attitude...performing Mitzvos are a cinch!
Submitted by D.S.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us
תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות
- one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come. (Talmud Niddah 73a)
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