New York, NY – A comedic YouTube clip titled “How NOT To Perform Bikur Cholim”, packing a powerful but humorous message about visiting the sick, will be featured as part of a new DVD soon to be released by Rabbi Paysach Krohn, titled “Bikur Cholim -Sense and Sensitivity.”
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
“I have been dreaming about doing a project like this for two or three years,” Rabbi Krohn told VIN News. “I wanted to do something for the sake of klal yisroel in a lighthearted, encouraging way.”
The DVD features words of chizuk aimed at both those who would be performing the mitzvah of bikur cholim and the cholim themselves featuring the inspiring words of Rabbi Raymond Beyda, Rabbi Dovid Weinberger, Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, Rabbi Paysach Krohn and Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa. Also featured is an entertaining segment interviewing children about the mitzvah of bikur cholim.
“How NOT to Perform Bikur Cholim is a culmination of all the advice given by the rabbonim on the DVD,” explain Chananya Kramer of Kol Rom Multimedia and producer of the project. “We packed all the information into four tight minutes and presented it in a light hearted way.” The clip, which clocks in at four minutes and forty one seconds features the comedic talents of Mich Cohen and Shmop Weisbord, in addition to the feet of Yaakov Kramer.
Bikur Cholim – Sense and Sensitivity is expected to be released in the next few weeks and will be available free of charge.
Watch below:
Amusing, and possibly helpful, but a little too irreverent to appeal to the average frum viewer. Why the allusions to the game and TV? Which audience is this directed to?
Good job! Unfortunately most people who are hospitalized for an extended period of time will probably hear every single one of those silly comments from “well-meaning” friends with little common sense. Hopefully this DVD will – in humorous way – help us realize that before we speak we should weigh our words a thousand times (or alternately, just use plain old fashioned common sense)!
A Refuah Shelaimah to all the sick Yidden. Amen!
Hilarious! And sobering at the same time… to think that such tactless, mindless, clueless (take your pick) people really exist.
Very funny AND very accurate.
Next project I hope… a similar video on How To NOT be Menachem Avail!
if only this was a joke. I’ve heard similar and worse in hospitals, and (nisht bi keinem gedatcht) in shiva houses.
A gr8 book about this is “Is There Anything I Can Do” from feldheim press
IMHO, it should be required reading for anyone before they walk into a hospital room.
fantastic!!!! I couldnt stop laughing!!!
Mich – thanks again for another great bit of entertainment, you are hillarious. Btw how is your shvigger’s ingrown toenail. (for those that don’t know I am refering to another clip that Mich had done a little while back)
One of the worsti have ever heard directly from a patient happened after the patient lost a baby right after birth and for no apprent reason. Some creep walked in after hearing what happened and asked the frum woman how many other children she has and then the dumb nit wit said back at least you have 6 other children.
The woman told me that if she was able to get out of her bed she would have taken the nit wit and throw her out out the window.
Many people say such stupid things because people think they must say something. Rabbi krohn has mentioned numerous times that silence is sometimes the best thing. Friends and family just want to know you care and caring doesn’t have to be by yapping non stop.
Siyug l’chochma shtika.
Do we really have such insensitive Dumbos among us? Oye Vey
This is only funny to someone who has been spared of ever being in such
circumstances.
Please dont make me laughso hard. This is one of those things that is funny but sobering at the same time. To anyone who thinks this is exxagerated, I can personally vouch that yes, there a really such stupid peope. As someone who is struggling through many health issues that require constant hospital visits, I’ve been on the receiving end of insensitive, rude comments by “well-meaning” people. If you dont know what to say, dont make it up. Just say, “I dont know what to say, but I just want you to know that you’re in my thoughts.
The insensitivity of some people is beyond belief. A friend told me that me they witnessed the following at a beis avel…
The avel was describing the terrible distress they went through with the loss of their spouse and the last painful week in the hospital. One of those being “menachaim” (and I use that word very loosely) said to the avel “You think YOU had a hard week,…” and they then went on to describe the aggravation THEY had the past week with a contractor doing renovations in their home! I am NOT making this up!
Oy is this so true – I’ve had the nitwits coming and asking if I’m not getting a second opinion – what do I need a second opinion for? for an infection that is being competently treated?! Or those offering me naturopath and homeopath – I’m not a believer and i’m on so many other medications I’m sure something would interact! What they left out is those who come to visit you with their snotty, whiney kids who are eating a chocolate biscuit and who then proceed to wipe their hands on your clean sheets!!!
Great work
This clip is the tip of the iceberg.. i have been ‘that patient’ and its refreshingly honest!!! All those who have good intent but somehow with their visits and smart whitty comments cause more damage instead of joy. So please next time you visit a choleh just smile brightly and count your syallables before you speak.
Most pts prefer a visator that brings a smile and a warm heart…all the so called advice, ideas, chizuk should be left at the door.
May all of us “sick pts” be zocheh to a full refuah.
I really have heard most of the comments myself (I have a terminal illness). I laughed myself silly over this video. I think that most people are not trying to be offensive but feel very awkward. When I sense an inappropriate question or comment coming, I usually interrupt with, “Can I give you my name for davening? I really appreciate tefillos…” and the other person usually looks relieved to be redirected toward a more helpful response. I’m still working on a humorous quip to being asked how I am, when the person only wants a quick answer…ideas?
And special thanks to the feet of Mr. Kramer, an astounding pair of great actors.
Insensitivity is not limited to Hospital visits. At a Bar Mitzvah a stererotypical elderly yenta told the mother of the boy, ‘oh he looks so handsome’. The Bar Mitzvah boy standing right there says to the yenta, thank you, very much.’ Whereupon the yenta incredulously barks to the boy, ‘oh, I didn’t mean YOU! I meant your BROTHER!’ The boy was me.
Thanks for your good wishes. I don’t like to put people on the spot in making them commit to a particular mitzvah in my zechus (although I wouldn’t stop them if they want to do so). I just recognize the “deer in the headlights” look of people trying to talk their way out of feeling awkward. I asked Rabbi Orlofsky what his suggestion would be for something for me to focus on with my illness, and he suggested using it to be kind to others. When people make meals for me, or drive me to tests and treatments, or give me the tests and treatments, or just ask me how I am, I try to sidestep the bit of embarrassment that comes with neediness and try to respond with genuine warmth and gratitude and graciousness. I think that it kv”y gives Hashem great pleasure to see His children being kind to each other. I am grateful to be able to use my needing to receive to give Hashem nachas too.