Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

===If one is critically ill (Choleh Sheyesh Bo Sakana)===

===Infants===

# Healthy infants and babies until the age of three (and according to some poskim even older children till the age of six or nine) are also halachically classified as “patients not dangerously ill.” <Ref> Chazon Ish, O.C. 59:3, Rav S.Z. Auerbach in Nishmas Avraham 328:54, and Rav Y.S. Elyashiv in Eis Laledes, pg. 57, quote the age of 2-3. Tzitz Eliezer 8:15-12 quotes ages of 6. Minchas Yitzchak 1:78 quotes age of 9. </ref> (In the final analysis, it all depends on the strength and maturity of the child.) <ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref> Therefore, they are permitted to take all forms of medicine, provided, of course, that no Biblical prohibitions are transgressed. <ref> Rama, O.C. 328:17. Note, however, that not all of a baby’s needs are exempt from the prohibition against medication; see, for instance, Mishna Brurah 328:131. See Tehillah l’David 328:24 and Minchas Yitzchak 4:124 who deal with this difficulty </ref>  

# It is permitted to put on a band aid on a wound. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 34:3 </ref>

# According to Ashkenazim, one should not remove a band aid on [[Shabbat]] if there is hair in the area of the band aid. However, if it is painful one may remove it. <ref> Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 35:30 (in the new edition) writes that a band aid shouldn’t be removed on [[Shabbat]] in an area where there’s hair because removing the band aid will certainly pull out hairs. However, the Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata writes that it’s permissible to use a Benzine to remove the band aid so it won’t rip out any hairs that’s assuming the cream was set aside before [[Shabbat]] and isn’t [[Muktzeh]]. Nonetheless in the footnote he quotes Rav Shlomo Zalman saying that if it’s painful it may be removed because it’s a pesik reisha delo nicha leih (פסיק רישא דלא ניחא ליה), keleacher yad (כלאחר יד), and mekalkel (מקלקל). </ref> However, Sephardim are more lenient as long as there is a need to remove it, it's permissible. <ref> The Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] 4 pg 179, kitzur S”A 328:101, 340:6) writes that if there’s a need, it’s permissible to remove a band aid from an area of hair on [[Shabbat]] because it’s a pesik reisha delo nicha leih (פסיק רישא דלא ניחא ליה) for a Derabbanan. In the footnote he writes that even though the Or Letzion (vol 2, pg 259) is strict, his father (Rav Ovadyah, in Haskama to Lev Avraham), Rav Yitzchak Elchanan (Bear Yitzchak Siman 15), and Rav Shlomo Zalman (from Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata) are lenient. </ref>

===Cleaning a wound===

===Braces===

# Braces may be worn on [[Shabbat]] because there is no medicine for aligning teeth properly. <ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)writes that it is permissible to wear braces on [[Shabbat]] because the goal of the treatment or procedure can only be achieved without the use of medicine. </ref>

==Specific conditions==

===Athlete’s foot===

# One may not use any medication for athlete’s foot on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Bandage===

# It is permissible to put on an ace bandage on [[Shabbat]] as long as you don't tie anything permanent. <ref> Contemporary Questions in Halacha and Hashkafa pg. 144 writes that this is because it wasn't included in the initial gezeira of [[refuah]] since its benefits cannot be duplicated with pills or other standard medicines. </ref>  

===Birth control===

# It's permissible to take birth control pills on [[Shabbat]] (assuming she received halachic permission to take these pills). <ref> [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2228 Rabbi Mansour on DailyHalacha.com], Chacham Ovadia Yosef [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDefault.asp?HalachaID=3319 Halacha Yomit]</ref>

# For a simple bone fracture a non-Jew may be asked to do anything necessary, e.g., make a phone call, drive a car, take x-rays or put on a cast. [If a non-Jew is not available, some poskim permit a Jew to do these acts if they are done with a shinui, in an abnormal manner. <Ref> This is the view of Shulchan Aruch ha-Rav 328:19 and Eglei Tal ([[Tochen]] 18). Some poskim (Rav S.Z. Auerbach, quoted in Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 33, note 18; Shevet ha-Levi 8:93) rule that one may rely on this view, especially when there is “danger to a limb.” Note, however, that Mishna Brurah, Aruch ha-Shulchan and most poskim do not agree with this leniency. </ref>] If there is even a small chance of internal bleeding, e.g., the thigh or pelvis bone was fractured, or if the elbow was shattered, all [[Shabbat]] restrictions are lifted. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Cellulites===

# Since cellulitis may be life-threatening immediate medical attention is required. <Ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Cold===

# For a cold one may not take [[medications]] or vitamins. <ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 481), [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org], Rav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 34, note 52) write that there is room for leniency in kavod ha-beriyos situations, e.g., a constantly dripping nose which is disturbing to people who are around him.</ref>  unless one is experiencing discomfort in his whole body or is bedridden. However, one may eat chicken soup or tea with honey to obtain relief.<Ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 481), The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Cough===

# Cough–medication may not be taken.<ref> Shmirat Shabbat KiHilchata 34:1,3). </ref> If the cough may be an indication of pneumonia or asthma, medication is permitted. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

# For an infection all [[medications]] are permitted. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Lactose===

===Migraine===

# For a migraine headache any oral [[medications]] may be taken. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

# For a nosebleed bleeding may be stopped with a tissue or a napkin. If none is available, a cloth napkin may be used. <ref> Mishna Brurah 328:146 </ref>

===Raynaud’s Syndrome===

===Retainer===

# For a sore throat medication may not be taken. Gargling is prohibited. <Ref> S”A 328:32</ref> Drinking tea or any other hot drink, or sucking a candy, is permitted even if the intention is for medicinal purposes. <ref>S”A 328:37 </ref>

===Splinter===

===Sprain===

# For a sprain if the patient is not experiencing severe pain, nothing may be done. If the patient is experiencing severe pain, medication may be taken and a massage may be given. A makeshift splint may be applied, provided that no [[Shabbat]] Labors are transgressed. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Stitches===

===Stopping bleeding===

# Pressure may be applied to a cut to stop bleeding. Sucking or [[squeezing]] out blood is prohibited. <ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org], Mishna Brurah 328:147 </ref>

==A doctor on call==

# A doctor who is on call and there is a sick patient under his or her care, some say that the doctor should stay in the hospital or nearby so that the doctor will not have to travel on [[Shabbat]]<ref>Sh”t Igrot Moshe 1:131 and Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 30:26 </ref>, while others are lenient if it will ruin the doctor and his family’s oneg [[Shabbat]]. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata (chap 40 note 71) in name of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach explaining that since there is a mitzvah of oneg [[Shabbat]] one is not obligated to leave one’s home on Friday in order to avoid violation of [[Shabbat]]. For background of this topic [[Brit_Milah#Delayed Milah on Thursday or Friday|see here]]. </ref>

==Related Pages==

# [[Tochen]] ([[grinding]])