Jewish tradition (much of which, I admit, I honor in the breach), counts among its commandments (mitzvot) the tradition of bikur cholim [BIH-kur KHO-lim], or visitation of the sick, a commandment meant to be honored at all times and without number.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikur_cholim
Bikur cholim is an ancient tradition rooted in G-d's visit to Abraham (in the form of a wayfarer) following Abraham's circumcision. (Genesis 18:1)
This commandment is observed in many ways. Some congregations send small delegations to visit patients in hospitals, or bring freshly cooked meals to homebound people, or help in other ways.
The idea is that people who are ill should not feel isolated, and should still feel that they are part of a community.
But during these days of COVID19, this observance may present complications and even dangers. Jewish law places life above all. The principle of pikuach nefesh, the preservation of human life, overrides virtually any other religious rule.
Various organization have addressed this, remembering that we are enjoined to live by the Commandments, not die by them.
One example is the effort of one community to observe bikur cholim via telephone in a more formalized presentation to assure that all congregants receive a call.
https://jewishboard.org/resources/bikur-cholim-telephone-visitor/
Hopefully the spirit of bikur cholim lives on in other ways, including telephone calls, e-mails and snail mail. My own experience of living during this pandemic is complicated by multiple vertebral fractures making even judicious trips of out of my apartment painful.
http://www.joansbackbonedisaster.com/2021/01/forgotten-but-not-gone-social-cost-of.html
I cannot find words to express my thanks to friends and family who have sent friendly e-mails, or who have called just to chat, telling me what is going on in their worlds, and who are even willing to listen to my gripes!
This experience has certainly made me much more aware of the blessings of bikur cholim and, hopefully, a more mindful person.
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