Rav Kook On Shabbat: Our Response to Illness and Crisis

The Sages highly praised the mitzvah of bikur cholim, visiting the sick. A central aspect of this mitzvah is encouraging them and praying for their recovery. However, on Shabbat we are instructed not to pray for the sick; such prayers are inappropriate to the general atmosphere of Shabbat. Rather, the Sages taught: “One who visits the sick on Shabbat should say: It is Shabbat, when we may not cry out [and pray]; and healing will soon come.” (Shabbat 12a) Why is Shabbat different?