Bikkur Cholim or Nichum Aveilim: Which Comes First?

If one only has the opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of bikkur cholim (visiting the sick) or nichum aveilim (comforting mourners) which one takes priority?

The Talmud teaches that one should strive to emulate God in all His ways. One of the examples specifically cited in this regard is to visit the sick just as God did.[1] We are taught that when Avraham was recovering from his circumcision it was none other than God Himself who went to visit him.[2] It appears, therefore, that bikkur cholim takes priority when one needs to choose between that and nichum aveilim.

Nevertheless, it is noted that visiting a shiva house and comforting mourners is a mitzva that benefits both the living and the dead at once, while visiting the sick benefits only the living. Based on this consideration, some authorities rule that nichum aveilim takes priority.[3] There is also the view that in a situation where one is forced to choose between nichum aveilim over bikkur cholim, then indeed, nichum aveilim takes priority. However, in the event that one is able and intends to perform both mitzvoth, then the mitzva of bikkur cholim should be performed first.[4]

Other authorities are more cautious in prioritizing one mitzva over the other. It is noted that one who does not visit the sick is “as if he spills blood" and that one who does visit the sick is considered to have contributed to his recovery.[5] Similarly, if one knows that there is virtually no one visiting a certain sick individual, then visiting him would take priority.[6] One should also take into consideration the effect that visiting a sick person may have, such as cheering him up, providing much needed and otherwise unavailable assistance, or even somehow directly contributing to his recovery.[7] It is interesting to note that that the pious men of Jerusalem would spend all of Sukkot engaged in acts of kindness including both bikkur cholim and nichum aveilim, though the former took precedence.[8]

It appears, therefore, that all things being equal, nichum aveilim is to take priority over bikkur cholim. However, as we have seen, there are a number of factors that can easily tip the scale from one mitzva in favor of the other.

[1] Sotah 14a.

[2] Bereishit 18:1, Rashi.

[3] Rambam, Hilchot Avel 14:7.

[4] YD 335:10; Bach, YD 335; Shach, YD 335:11.

[5] Nedarim 40a.

[6] Emek She'ela 3:6.

[7] Igrot Moshe, OC 4:40.

[8] Sukka 41b.