Summary

Man was created with a limited similarity to G'd. This similarity obligates us to emulate G'd's conduct. Just like G'd visited Abraham when he was not feeling well, we must visit the sick. The main purpose of visiting the sick is not to talk and entertain but just to be there for them. When you visit a patient and take care of his needs, it could possibly revive him and sometimes even save his life. When one visits a sick person, one should offer a short prayer for the patient, as well as other sick people. The prayer of the sick person himself is more effective than the prayers of others on his behalf. We often feel powerless, as we do not see how we can help the sick in their time of need. But one thing we can always do is to pray.

Created in the image of G'd

At the time of Creation, when G'd was about to create man, G'd said (Bereishis 1:26): "Let us make man in Our image." This obviously does not refer to a physical form. For, as the Rambam writes in the third of the fundamentals of faith, G'd has absolutely no physical form or image. Rabbi Chaim Valozhin explains in the beginning of Nefesh HaChaim (1:1) that it means that man was created with a limited similarity to G'd.

Emulate G'd's conduct

It is this similarity that obligates us to emulate G'd's conduct. As it says in Parashas Re'eh (Devarim 13:3): "You shall walk after HASHEM your G'd." The Talmud (Sotah 14a) teaches that this means that we must follow in G'd's footsteps and conduct ourselves as He does. For example, says the Talmud, just like G'd clothed Adam and Eve, we shall provide garments for those in need.

G'd visited the sick

In the beginning of this week's parasha it says (Bereishis 18:1): "And G'd appeared to him [Abraham]." In the next verse the Torah relates how Abraham raised his eyes and saw three men, and how he ran towards them to invite them inside. This seems very strange. Why does the Torah not tell us what message G'd told Abraham, and if there was no message why did G'd reveal Himself? The Talmud (ibid) explains that this was not a prophetic vision where G'd appeared to Abraham to teach or inform him about something. Rather, G'd came to visit Abraham who was weak after his circumcision. And, continues the Talmud, just like G'd visited Abraham when he was not feeling well, we must visit the sick. The Talmud continues and gives examples how we are obligated to emulate G'd and pay Shiva visits to those who are mourning and ensure that the deceased gets a proper burial.

Be there for the sick

The fact that the Torah does not mention what G'd said to Abraham, when He came to visit, teaches us that the main purpose of visiting the sick is not to talk and entertain but just to be there for them. Often the sick person needs to rest and is neither in the mood nor has the head for long conversations. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 335:8) rules that sometimes one should not even enter the patient's room. One should just come to the house or hospital and inquire to the well-being of the one who is sick and inquire if there is need for any help.

Visit may save a life

The commentaries explain that the primary job of the visitor of a sick person is to see if the patient needs assistance with anything and make him as comfortable as possible. The Talmud (Nedorim 40a) relates that once a student of Rabbi Akiva took sick, and for some reason none of his friends came to visit him. When Rabbi Akiva realized what was happening, he went himself to visit his sick student, and he made sure that the floor was swept and cleaned. As his room got cleaned, the sick student felt much better and he said to his mentor, "Rabbi, you saved my life!" When Rabbi Akiva heard that, he taught his students, "Whoever does not visit a sick person, it is as if he killed him." For had he visited him and taken care of his needs, it could possibly revive him and sometimes even save his life.

Short prayer

The Shulchan Aruch (ibid 4-6) further says that when one visits a sick person, one should offer a short prayer for the patient, as well as other sick people. When one is in the presence of the patient, one does not need to mention the patient's name. We learn this from Moses who said a short prayer for his sister Miriam when she was afflicted with tzaraas and said (Bamidbar 12:13): "Please G'd, heal her now." When one visits the patient, says the Shulchan Aruch, one may pray in any language, but otherwise one should be careful to pray for the sick in Hebrew. For although the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 101:4) permits prayers in any language, when praying for someone sick, one should be extra careful and pray only in Hebrew. But when one is at the place of the patient, there is a special Divine presence (see Rashi Bereishis 47:31) and therefore one's prayers are more easily accepted and can be in any language.

Prayer by sick person more effective

Later in this week's parasha, the Torah relates how Sarah noticed that Ishmael misbehaved and was mocking Isaac. She requested Abraham to expel Hagar and Ishmael, and G'd told Abraham to listen to her. As they travelled, Ishmael got sick and almost died. Hagar put him down under one of the trees and sat down and cried to G'd. However, the Torah (Bereishis 58:14) says: "And G'd heard the voice of the boy." Rashi quotes the Midrash Rabbah (58:14) that says that this teaches us that the prayer of the sick person himself is more effective than the prayers of others on his behalf. Whenever possible, one should therefore encourage the sick to pray themselves, as their prayers are no doubt the most sincere.

We can always pray

We all know people who are sick and need G'd's mercy to recover. We often feel powerless, as we do not see how we can help them in their time of need. But one thing we can always do is to pray. May HASHEM listen to our prayers and send a speedy recovery to all who need it.

These words were based on a talk given by Rabbi Avraham Kahn, the Rosh Yeshiva and Founder of Yeshivas Keser Torah in Toronto.

These words were based on a talk given by Rabbi Avraham Kahn, the Rosh Yeshiva and Founder of Yeshivas Keser Torah in Toronto.

Shalom. Michael Deverett