Visiting the sick, either at hospital or their home, is a recommended

philanthropic Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private good, focusing on material ...

deed in different cultures and religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam and is considered an aspect of benevolence and a work of mercy. In

Judaism Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in the ...

, for instance, the act is called ''

bikur cholim ''Bikur cholim'' ( he, ביקור חולים; "visiting the sick"; also transliterated ''bikur holim'') refers to the mitzvah (Jewish religious commandment) to visit and extend aid to the sick. It is considered an aspect of ''gemilut chasadim'' ...

'' and is considered a part of ''

mitzvah In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word (; he, מִצְוָה, ''mīṣvā'' , plural ''mīṣvōt'' ; "commandment") refers to a commandment commanded by God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law () in large part consists of discus ...

'' (commandment). In Christianity it may be done by relatives or friends or formally by a chaplain or minister.

Format

Visiting the sick is mainly performed on a voluntarily basis. The purpose of the visit is to reflect on shared feeling with the sick person and to spend some warm quality time with them, providing them with inspiration and positive feelings that can help them fight their sickness and get well soon.

References

{{Charity Philanthropy Commandments

Format

See also

References