How many people visit the sick? Doctors? Family and Close Friends?

 

The Talmud tells the story of a scholar who wanted to meet Messiah and was told

 

"He is at the gates of Rome with the lepers ... you will know him by ..."

 

The Almighty visited Abraham after the Bris as he was aching-

 

But most people today do not visit the ill the confined or institutionalized (of many types)

 

as per the song "you get pneumonia ... he'll never phone ya..."

 

Once someone is ill these days - they are put somewhere - and the caretakers take care

 

It is a rare person that has the moral and emotional stamina to visit the sick

 

This week's portion 

orders the Kohain - the Priest - to visit someone who may be leperous!

 

and to declare if yes or if no -

 

(IF YES - the person must be OUTSIDE THE CAMP - ALONE - BODED - how do you think they FEEL?)

 

AND the KOHAIN must go BACK TO CHECK to see whether and when there has been a HEALING

 

Loneliness is not sadness - but here you have illness - and loneliness added! Oiy how sad!

 

BUT the Torah in its wisdom gave a JOB to the KOHAIN to check on the illness!!!!

 

Illness can be physical or spiritual - and the Talmud teaches us

that the Torah requires us (not just the Priest - but to be holy as well)

 

To visit the sick

 

to end the loneliness

 

and to bring the time of Elijah and the Messiah by doing acts of kindness

 

Lots of Love and Gutt Shabbos

 

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz