Infants on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

From Halachipedia
m (Text replace - "Shabbat" to "Shabbat")
(40 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Good}}
==Illness==
==Illness==
{{Child as Choleh on Shabbat}}
# In a case where the child is under three months and appears to be ill, if his temperature is not that high, but merely a notch over 100 degrees, one can still desecrate the Shabbos (call a doctor, drive if  a non-Jew cannot be found etc.) as temperature for a newborn can be indicative of something more serious<ref>Igros Moshe O.C. 1:129</ref>. If time is not of essence one should obviously initially look to engage a non-Jew in any prohibited activity. <ref>Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)</ref>
 
# If a child needs a vaporizer to alleviate discomfort (from bronchitis etc.), what may ask a non-Jew to plug it in on Shabbos to ease his pain. While some prohibit adding cold water to a cold water vaporizer<ref>  Minchas Yitzchok 7:28, Be'er Moshe 6:51</ref>, others permit it if you pour it through the spout<ref>  Sefer Hilchos Shabbos 8: footnote 64, B'shem R' Moshe Feinstien ZT”L</ref>. If it is a hot water vaporizer one may take previously boiled water from an urn and refill it<ref>  Shalmai Yehudah pg. 44</ref>.
==Diapering==
==Diapering==
===Diapers===
# The issue of using baby wipes has been widely discussed  ever since they've arrived on the market. While many insinuate from a response of R' Moshe Feinstien'' zt"l<ref> Igros Moshe O.C. 2:70</ref>'' that it is permitted, others require them to be squeezed out prior to Shabbos to the extent that if someone touches the wipe he won't be able to moisten something else<ref> Nishmas Shabbos 233</ref>. However many Poskim prohibit them entirely and give preference to wetting the baby (with oil, water, "baby shpritz" etc.) and then using a dry tissue to clean the child<ref> Minchat Yitzchak 10:25, Shevet Halevi 8:59, 39 Melachos (vol 2, pg 351-3) </ref>. However in situations where using oil or water serves to be very inconvenient, one may rely on the lenient view if one does it gently and doesn't press down.<ref> Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting Rabbi Moshe Plutchok based on the Har Tzvi and R' Shlomo Zalmen Aurbauch Zt”l, [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2277 Rabbi Mansour] on Dailyhalacha.com</ref>
{{Diapers_on_Shabbat}}
# Most diapers have an adhesive that needs to be unfastened and then taped onto the diaper. While it is praiseworthy to to be stringent and unfasten them and then refasten them again before Shabbos<ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 16:81</ref> [hence when putting on the diaper you would not be "ripping"something that was "sewn" for over twenty four hours], one can be lenient if he failed to do so<ref> Sha'arim Metzuyanim L'Halacha 80:45</ref>.
 
===Diaper Wipes===
{{Diaper Wipes on Shabbat}}
 
==Diaper Rashes==


#In the event that the child requires cream for a diaper rash (i.e. Desitin, Balmax etc.), one may squeeze it out onto the affected area and allow the child to smear it on himself via his movement.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 33:14, 39 Melachos (v. 3, p. 922)</ref>
==Diaper rashes==
 
# In the event that the child requires cream for a diaper rash (i.e. Desitin, Balmax etc.), one may squeeze it out onto the affected area and allow the child to smear it on himself via his movement<ref> SSK”H 33:14</ref>.
==Feeding a Baby==
==Feeding a baby==
===Nursing and Pumping===
# It is only permissible to nurse on [[Shabbat]] if the infant feeds directly from the mother. A nursing mother who is experiencing pain may express excess milk if it goes directly to waste and is not collected in a cup or container. <ref>39 Melachos (vol 2, pg 356) </ref>
{{Nursing on Shabbat}}
# With regard to preparing food for a child one should be careful to avoid any ''shailos'' of ''bishul'' (cooking). Therefore when preparing a bottle of (powdered or liquid) formula one should first pour in the hot water and then put in the formula<ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 1:49 footnote 138, Shar Hatzion 318:96</ref>. This is assuming that the formula has been previously cooked to a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. One is allowed to place a bottle of milk inside a cup of boiling hot water, however one should try to make sure that the entire bottle does not go under the water in order to avoid ''hatmana'' (insulating) according to all Poskim<ref>Taz 258:1, M.B. 258:2, Shar Hatzion 258: 5</ref>.
 
# While it is permitted to nurse a child on Shabbos a woman may not pump extra milk to have for a later time as she would be transgressing the ''melacha'' of ''mefarek'' (extracting)<ref> S.A. 328:34, Bh”L D”h V’Tineck</ref>. However in the event that the woman is in pain she may express her milk directly into a sink<ref>S.A. 330:8</ref>. In the event that this is not practical, the Poskim permit one to use a pump providing that there is soap or vinegar in the bottle that would immediately render the milk useless<ref> Taz 320:12, Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 36:20 footnote 61</ref>. She should then pour the milk directly into the sink when she is done. If she does not have a manual pump and is in significant pain she may even ask a non-Jew to turn on an electric pump for her<ref>S.A. 328:17</ref>. If she knows prior to Shabbos that she will need to express milk due to pain and she does not have a manual pump, she would be permitted, on Friday, to set her pump to turn on with a Shabbos clock<ref>Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz, Shlita. Although if one can secure for themselves a manual pump that would be more Halachically preferable as R' Y.S. Elyashiv was under the impression that by using the electric pump you are causing the motor to work harder. Therefore even when one would rely on this heter one should secure the pump onto oneself prior to the time that the machine is set to go on</ref>.
===Heating and Cooking Foods===
#With regard to preparing food for a child one should be careful to avoid any ''shailos'' of ''[[bishul]]'' ([[cooking]]). Therefore when preparing a bottle of (powdered or liquid) formula one should first pour in the hot water and then put in the formula.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 1:49 footnote 138, Shaar Hatzion 318:96</ref> This is assuming that the formula has been previously cooked to a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
#One is allowed to place a cold bottle of milk inside a cup of boiling hot water, however one should try to make sure that the entire bottle does not go under the water in order to avoid ''[[hatmana]]'' (insulating) according to all Poskim.<ref>Taz 258:1, Mishna Brurah 258:2, Shaar Hatzion 258:5</ref>
 
===Mashing Foods===
#One may mash a banana or other soft vegetables for a child to eat on [[Shabbat]].<ref> Yechave Da'at 5:27</ref> See [[Losh#Practical_Examples]] for more details.
 
==Baby Bottles==
#One may clean a bottle with a bottle brush providing that the bristles are spread apart<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:footnote 45</ref> and, ''l'chatchila,'' the brush should be designated just for [[Shabbos]] use.<ref>Mishna Brurah 303:87, Igros Moshe O.C. 2:88</ref> See [[Dosh#Using_a_Sponge_or_Brush_on_Shabbat]] for more about using brushes on Shabbat. One is reminded to only use cold water from the sink to avoid [[Bishul]].<ref>Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)</ref>
 
==High Chair==
 
# Some poskim permit detaching and reattaching a hair chair tray since that is part of the normal use of the high chair.<ref>Rav Elyashiv (Ashrei Haish 2:18:20)</ref> However, other poskim hold that it is forbidden if the tray fits tightly into place and is only permitted if it is loose.<ref>Rav Shlomo Zalman (Shulchan Shlomo 313:7 fnt. 16). Orchot Shabbat 8:55 explains that seemingly this dispute of whether it is permitted to put together a tray with a chair hair depends on a dispute between Shulchan Aruch Harav and Chazon Ish if it is permitted to put together a kli that is normally disassembled and reassembled. Additionally, there's a reason to be lenient even for Chazon Ish who is strict in the above question because the nature of this kli is that the way to use it is by detaching it and reattaching it. </ref>


==Baby bottles==
# One may clean a bottle with a bottle brush providing that the bristles are spread apart<ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 12:footnote 45</ref> and, ''l'chatchila,'' the brush should be designated just for Shabbos use<ref> M.B. 303:87, Igros Moshe O.C. 2:88</ref>. One is reminded to only use cold water from the sink to avoid [[Bishul]]. <ref>Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)</ref>
==Cribs & Strollers==
==Cribs & Strollers==
{{Stroller_Hood_on_Shabbat}}
# While R' Moshe Feinstein ZT"L<ref> Igros Moshe O.C. 4:105:3</ref> held that the hood needs to be opened one Tefach (approx. 3.75 inches) prior to Shabbos, many other Poskim<ref> Chazon Ish O.C. 52:6, Be'er Moshe 6:87</ref> permitted it no matter what, claiming that there is no issue of Assiyas Ohel (making a covering). Spreading over a mosquito net is different, and would be prohibited according to all Poskim unless it was spread out a the required 3.75 inches prior to Shabbos<ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 24:9, Shevet Halaivi 3:54</ref>.
 
==Playpens==
==Assembling Playpens and Cribs==
# As long as there are no screws, bolts (etc.) one may set up and dismantle a playpen, pac-n-play or carriage<ref> Be'er Moshe 3:85</ref>. For carriages that come with a separate bassinet (i.e. BabyJogger, Bugaboo, Rock Star etc.), one may switch them back and forth without any Halachic concerns as long as no screws are being used. One would also be allowed to add another seat to a carriage (i.e. Phil & Ted), providing that this is done on an "everyday basis", as it would then be considered the "usual mode of use"<ref>Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) heard from R' Plutchok Shlita</ref>.
{{Playpens and Cribs on Shabbat}}
==Baby swing==
 
# There is a dispute amongst the Poskim whether or not one may wind up a baby swing on Shabbos. While R' Moshe Feinstein ZT"L<ref>
==Baby Monitors==
Sefer Tiltulai Shabbos 1: footnote 36 </ref> prohibits it on the account that it is similar to  winding a watch that has stopped (which is proibited), there are many others who are lenient, as unlike a watch, when a swing is not in motion it is not considered "broken", so winding it up is not considered "fixing" it<ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 17:39</ref>.
#Some permit using a baby monitor on Shabbat even if the baby's voice and sometimes the parent's voice when in the baby's room is transmitted to another device for the parents to hear.<ref>Halichot Olam v, 4 p. 198 cited by Tiferet 328:64. This is elaborated and reiterated on [http://halachayomit.co.il/en/default.aspx?HalachaID=3254 halachayomit.co.il].</ref>
 
==Baby Swing==
#There is a dispute amongst the Poskim whether or not one may wind up a baby swing on [[Shabbos]]. While R' Moshe Feinstein ZT"L<ref>Sefer Tiltulei [[Shabbos]] 1: footnote 36 </ref> prohibits it on the account that it is similar to  winding a watch that has stopped (which is prohibited), there are many others who are lenient, as unlike a watch, when a swing is not in motion it is not considered "broken", so winding it up is not considered "fixing" it.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 17:39</ref> See [[Electricity_on_Shabbat#Watches]] and [[Makeh Bpatish]] and for more details.
==Holding a Baby==
# It is forbidden to pick up a baby or child who is holding money. <ref> Hazon Ovadia, Page 170. The reason given is that the money might fall and one will pick it up accidentally. </ref> However, it is permitted to shake the child's hand in order to make the muktzeh fall so that carrying will become permissible. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 309:1. Shaking the child's hand out of fear for losing money in the child's hand is still prohibited. </ref>
 
==Credits==
==Credits==
Special thanks to Rabbi Heshy Kahn for his contribution to this article.
Special thanks to Rabbi Heshy Kahn for this article.
==Sources==
==References==
<references />
<references/>
[[Category:Shabbat]]
{{Shabbat Table}}

Revision as of 15:04, 4 March 2012

Illness

  1. In a case where the child is under three months and appears to be ill, if his temperature is not that high, but merely a notch over 100 degrees, one can still desecrate the Shabbos (call a doctor, drive if a non-Jew cannot be found etc.) as temperature for a newborn can be indicative of something more serious[1]. If time is not of essence one should obviously initially look to engage a non-Jew in any prohibited activity. [2]
  2. If a child needs a vaporizer to alleviate discomfort (from bronchitis etc.), what may ask a non-Jew to plug it in on Shabbos to ease his pain. While some prohibit adding cold water to a cold water vaporizer[3], others permit it if you pour it through the spout[4]. If it is a hot water vaporizer one may take previously boiled water from an urn and refill it[5].

Diapering

  1. The issue of using baby wipes has been widely discussed ever since they've arrived on the market. While many insinuate from a response of R' Moshe Feinstien zt"l[6] that it is permitted, others require them to be squeezed out prior to Shabbos to the extent that if someone touches the wipe he won't be able to moisten something else[7]. However many Poskim prohibit them entirely and give preference to wetting the baby (with oil, water, "baby shpritz" etc.) and then using a dry tissue to clean the child[8]. However in situations where using oil or water serves to be very inconvenient, one may rely on the lenient view if one does it gently and doesn't press down.[9]
  2. Most diapers have an adhesive that needs to be unfastened and then taped onto the diaper. While it is praiseworthy to to be stringent and unfasten them and then refasten them again before Shabbos[10] [hence when putting on the diaper you would not be "ripping"something that was "sewn" for over twenty four hours], one can be lenient if he failed to do so[11].

Diaper rashes

  1. In the event that the child requires cream for a diaper rash (i.e. Desitin, Balmax etc.), one may squeeze it out onto the affected area and allow the child to smear it on himself via his movement[12].

Feeding a baby

  1. It is only permissible to nurse on Shabbat if the infant feeds directly from the mother. A nursing mother who is experiencing pain may express excess milk if it goes directly to waste and is not collected in a cup or container. [13]
  2. With regard to preparing food for a child one should be careful to avoid any shailos of bishul (cooking). Therefore when preparing a bottle of (powdered or liquid) formula one should first pour in the hot water and then put in the formula[14]. This is assuming that the formula has been previously cooked to a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. One is allowed to place a bottle of milk inside a cup of boiling hot water, however one should try to make sure that the entire bottle does not go under the water in order to avoid hatmana (insulating) according to all Poskim[15].
  3. While it is permitted to nurse a child on Shabbos a woman may not pump extra milk to have for a later time as she would be transgressing the melacha of mefarek (extracting)[16]. However in the event that the woman is in pain she may express her milk directly into a sink[17]. In the event that this is not practical, the Poskim permit one to use a pump providing that there is soap or vinegar in the bottle that would immediately render the milk useless[18]. She should then pour the milk directly into the sink when she is done. If she does not have a manual pump and is in significant pain she may even ask a non-Jew to turn on an electric pump for her[19]. If she knows prior to Shabbos that she will need to express milk due to pain and she does not have a manual pump, she would be permitted, on Friday, to set her pump to turn on with a Shabbos clock[20].

Baby bottles

  1. One may clean a bottle with a bottle brush providing that the bristles are spread apart[21] and, l'chatchila, the brush should be designated just for Shabbos use[22]. One is reminded to only use cold water from the sink to avoid Bishul. [23]

Cribs & Strollers

  1. While R' Moshe Feinstein ZT"L[24] held that the hood needs to be opened one Tefach (approx. 3.75 inches) prior to Shabbos, many other Poskim[25] permitted it no matter what, claiming that there is no issue of Assiyas Ohel (making a covering). Spreading over a mosquito net is different, and would be prohibited according to all Poskim unless it was spread out a the required 3.75 inches prior to Shabbos[26].

Playpens

  1. As long as there are no screws, bolts (etc.) one may set up and dismantle a playpen, pac-n-play or carriage[27]. For carriages that come with a separate bassinet (i.e. BabyJogger, Bugaboo, Rock Star etc.), one may switch them back and forth without any Halachic concerns as long as no screws are being used. One would also be allowed to add another seat to a carriage (i.e. Phil & Ted), providing that this is done on an "everyday basis", as it would then be considered the "usual mode of use"[28].

Baby swing

  1. There is a dispute amongst the Poskim whether or not one may wind up a baby swing on Shabbos. While R' Moshe Feinstein ZT"L[29] prohibits it on the account that it is similar to winding a watch that has stopped (which is proibited), there are many others who are lenient, as unlike a watch, when a swing is not in motion it is not considered "broken", so winding it up is not considered "fixing" it[30].

Credits

Special thanks to Rabbi Heshy Kahn for this article.

References

  1. ↑ Igros Moshe O.C. 1:129
  2. ↑ Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)
  3. ↑ Minchas Yitzchok 7:28, Be'er Moshe 6:51
  4. ↑ Sefer Hilchos Shabbos 8: footnote 64, B'shem R' Moshe Feinstien ZT”L
  5. ↑ Shalmai Yehudah pg. 44
  6. ↑ Igros Moshe O.C. 2:70
  7. ↑ Nishmas Shabbos 233
  8. ↑ Minchat Yitzchak 10:25, Shevet Halevi 8:59, 39 Melachos (vol 2, pg 351-3)
  9. ↑ Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting Rabbi Moshe Plutchok based on the Har Tzvi and R' Shlomo Zalmen Aurbauch Zt”l, Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com
  10. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 16:81
  11. ↑ Sha'arim Metzuyanim L'Halacha 80:45
  12. ↑ SSK”H 33:14
  13. ↑ 39 Melachos (vol 2, pg 356)
  14. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 1:49 footnote 138, Shar Hatzion 318:96
  15. ↑ Taz 258:1, M.B. 258:2, Shar Hatzion 258: 5
  16. ↑ S.A. 328:34, Bh”L D”h V’Tineck
  17. ↑ S.A. 330:8
  18. ↑ Taz 320:12, Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 36:20 footnote 61
  19. ↑ S.A. 328:17
  20. ↑ Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz, Shlita. Although if one can secure for themselves a manual pump that would be more Halachically preferable as R' Y.S. Elyashiv was under the impression that by using the electric pump you are causing the motor to work harder. Therefore even when one would rely on this heter one should secure the pump onto oneself prior to the time that the machine is set to go on
  21. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 12:footnote 45
  22. ↑ M.B. 303:87, Igros Moshe O.C. 2:88
  23. ↑ Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)
  24. ↑ Igros Moshe O.C. 4:105:3
  25. ↑ Chazon Ish O.C. 52:6, Be'er Moshe 6:87
  26. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 24:9, Shevet Halaivi 3:54
  27. ↑ Be'er Moshe 3:85
  28. ↑ Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) heard from R' Plutchok Shlita
  29. ↑ Sefer Tiltulai Shabbos 1: footnote 36
  30. ↑ Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 17:39
Retrieved from "http://localhost:80/index.php?title=Infants_on_Shabbat&oldid=4826"