MITZVAH MINUTE: Visiting the Sick

B"H


Kislev 9, 5772 * December 5, 2011

==============
MITZVAH MINUTE
==============

Visiting the Sick
Healing with a Smile

====================

Want to play G-d? It's simple, says the Talmud—and it's a mitzvah, too: just visit the sick. G-d visited Abraham when he was sick, so when you visit the sick, you're playing G-d.

In Hebrew, the game's called bikkur cholim. Here are the rules: Giving a Lift

No frowns, no tears, no gloomy faces. None of that is going to heal anybody. Your job is to provide a little smile, some hope, and maybe even a few laughs. Learn a few good lines, like, "What's a spring chicken like you doing in a place like this?" or, "How's the room service in this place?" Extra points for every smile you elicit.

Of course, you have to know when you're overstaying your welcome. At that point, tell the patient the chassidic adage, "Think good and things will be good"—and quietly slip out. Lending a Hand

Your presence itself is therapeutic, but the patient has other needs too. Find out how you can be of help. Grocery shopping? A ride to the doctor? Or maybe the house needs some tidying?

Time your visit with care. If the patient is in middle of a medical procedure, or in the immediate aftermath of one, it is likely that he or she won't be in the mood for visitors.

Sometimes the situation doesn't allow for visits. You can still do bikkur cholim by visiting the family, offering a helping hand, and . . . Saying a Prayer

The patient's room is a holy place. While there, say a short prayer for a speedy recovery, such as, "May G-d care for you amongst all the patients of Israel." Or, on Shabbat, "On Shabbat it is forbidden to plead, but healing is soon to come." When you leave, say a psalm or other prayer.

It is traditional to ask a holy person to pray for the patient. Click here [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D3E1155AAFE7E89045644651E9A1EDCE&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] to send a prayer request to the Rebbe's resting place.


-
Illustrations by Yehuda Lang [ mailto:yehud24@yahoo.com ]. To view more artwork by this artist, click here [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=31CB7D79F8061F094789C5EB0372E80F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].

- To view this article on the Web, or to post a comment, please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=93B3DA84E61B698ACBD300CE5EAA2F16&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This subscription is available and better viewed in a graphic (HTML) format. To update your preferences, please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=5D35E44AB0446578230B01CDF112BB57&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Copyright © Chabad.org

For more Torah study and inspiring articles, please visit:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=849A83F932B77526CC551F65377583AF&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

** Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue sharing the
study of Torah and Jewish traditions:

Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark your special occasion!
Please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=17D924F711454B9885B1343F2BCA8F91&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

Please click here to make a donation to Chabad.org:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=73203650F29C7221B0A084BB326FCD31&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** Important Tip: In order to guarantee that your Chabad.org subscription
emails continue to be delivered to you, please make sure to add our
address, subscriptions@chabad.org, to your address book, or "whitelist"
it in any spam filters or spam programs you may have.

** Manage your complete subscription profile online: Subscribes,
unsubscribes, address changes, vacation holds, and more. Register here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=EA06809E7E5F47F41D0F2BF3D463F94C&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&emailpk=_265778_1826535@

** To subscribe to more Chabad.org email lists please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D278354160B8398B2DBB2B3603F5F98F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** To be removed from this email list please click here:
http://www.chabad.org/unsub.asp?i=5AF46983675481307410D0B3633E42515FE9EA2433C83879FC335C231708C7C3
If you would just like your email suspended and resumed at a later
date, please let us know here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2EC0DD0B04D3F5BC1038E757CBFFA096&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

** You are subscribed to the "Mitzvah Minute" email list as:
yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com. If your e-mail address is changing
please send us your new email address here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F4F039C6B17415F62E272A0287A13B25&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chabad.org
Chabad Lubavitch Media Center
770 Eastern Parkway * Brooklyn, NY * 11213
Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D774C22C26E38B5FD26D90DD8BEF8DD3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C6A5ACCEE0279D73726199094AFB1A91&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>