Visiting the sick

Do you want to play God? It's simple, says the Talmud, and it's a mitzvah too: visit the sick. God visited Abraham when he was sick; in the same way, when you visit a sick person, you are emulating God.

In Hebrew this game is called bikur cholim, and these are the rules:

No frowning, no tears, no somber faces. None of that will cure a sick person. Your task is to offer a small smile, a little hope, and even a few laughs.

Care should be taken not to stay longer than necessary, so as not to inconvenience the patient. Likewise, the timing of the visit should be appropriate; neither during a medical procedure nor immediately afterward, as the patient may not be in the right mood to receive visitors.

Your very presence is therapeutic, but the patient has other needs as well. Find out how you can help. Do you shop at the store? Carry something from or pick something up from the house?

The patient's room is a holy place. While you are there, say a prayer for the patient's speedy recovery, including all the sick of the Jewish people, such as "May God heal you along with all the sick of the Jewish people.".