Bikur Cholim
A fantastic story is told about the Chassidic master Rabbi Moshe of Korbin. Once, on his travels, he stayed at the home of one of his disciples. His host’s grandson, then a baby, had fallen gravely ill. Doctors had given up all hope and did not expect the child to live.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> The grandfather turned to Rabbi Moshe and asked him to pray for the baby. Rabbi Moshe asked to be taken to the child’s room. Standing at the crib he said to his disciple, In relating the narrative of the three angels who had visited our patriarch Avraham, the Torah says, “and he (Avraham) stands over them as they (the angels) ate.” Isn’t it strange that the Torah uses the present tense (and he stands over them) instead of the past tense (and he stood over them)?
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> The Torah is saying that the mitzvah of hospitality was so dear to our forefather 
Avraham that whenever a Jew performs this mitzvah, at any time and at any place, Avraham comes from heaven (in the present tense) to stand over us as we perform it.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> Since you are providing me with the mitzvah of hospitality tonight, our forefather Avraham is certainly present with us at this very moment. We know, concluded Rabbi Moshe, that Avraham carried a miraculous stone around his neck that had a unique healing property. Let the child gaze at Avraham’s stone of healing and may the child be healed.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> As soon as the rabbi concluded his remarks, the baby began to stir and was miraculously able to recover.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> We might not have a healing stone such as the one carried by our forefather Avraham but every one of us certainly possesses unique powers of healing. Doctors we are not, but the ability to heal we have! The Talmud teaches that when one visits the sick one removes one part in sixty of the person’s illness. We must know from our own experience the effect that another person’s smile, caring words and company have upon us. We know that our physical health is intimately connected with our emotional well-being and that lifting our spirit helps to make us feel better.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> The amazing Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick, is one we are all able to fulfill. It doesn’t require much time. One hour per week or month can make an unbelievable difference to someone else’s life, and you know what? It will make a tremendous difference to your life as well. For giving of yourself to others adds positive energy and meaning to your own life.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–><!–[endif]–> Are we too busy for that? Of course not!
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> With the high holidays around the corner now is as good a time as ever to rack up those heavenly points.
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>Don’t Delay, Call Today!
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