I had the pleasure today of learning about an organization called Bikur Cholim. Bikur Cholim involves visiting the sick and as its president, Mrs. Heller, explained the word bikur comes from the word bekeret (?) which means to investigate. We all agree that visiting sick people is a kindness, an act of chesed, but the obligation or mitzva comes from the investigation of the person's condition. What other kinds of support might someone recovering from a surgery need? Does a family have to travel from out of town in order to receive treatment? Where does the family stay? How are their needs met aside from the medical procedures, which in and of themselves can break individuals and their families through the burdens, stress and heartache?
I saw what looks like a family home on the outside, but on the inside has a kitchen that delivers approximately 400 meals per month, maintains private apartments for those who travel for medical treatment, houses volunteers who visit those in hospital on a regular basis and much, much more. I saw kosher meals lovingly prepared, wrapped with a ribbon, waiting for delivery and I imagined the tremendous lift that the visit and the package bring for those who are sick.
It was an education. Jewish education not only informs, but transforms.
I learned that when someone visits the sick, it is as if they have alleviated 1/60th of the illness. I've also been told that a great difficulty of experiencing illness is the loneliness, for the one afflicted and their family. What a clear message bikur cholim sends to the One Who Heals. There may be illness, but we will do what can be done, with kindness and focus, to promote a complete and speedy recovery.
To learn more about bikur cholim, visit http://www.bikurcholim.ca/
No comments:
Post a Comment