Anonymous

Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

From Halachipedia
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 55: Line 55:
===Athlete’s foot===
===Athlete’s foot===
# One may not use any medication for athlete’s foot on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
# One may not use any medication for athlete’s foot on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
===Back or neck brace===
===Baby Cream===
# One may put on or remove a back or neck brace on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)Based on ruling of Rav S.Z. Auerbach in Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 34, note 113. </ref>
# If a baby has a rash it is permitted to dab on some baby rash cream and not rub it in. If the cream would become completely absorbed into the skin and no trace would be left on the surface of the skin it would be permitted even to rub it in.<ref>[http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipID3542 Rabbi Mansour] explained that according to Rav Ovadia it was permitted to use a medicine for a baby who is in pain because they are considered a choleh shein bo sakana (Rama 328). Dabbing on the cream without rubbing or smoothing it is permitted based on the Chazon Ish. Furthermore, it is permitted to rub in the cream completely and it isn't considered memare'ach (Yabia Omer 4:27 based on Magen Avraham).</ref>
===Back or Neck Brace===
# One may put on or remove a back or neck brace on [[Shabbat]]. <ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt) based on ruling of Rav S.Z. Auerbach in Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 34, note 113. </ref>
 
===Bandage===
===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>  
# 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>  
Line 108: Line 111:
# For an infection all [[medications]] are 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===
===Lactose===
# For lactose intolerance one may not take enzyme supplement tablets. But it is permitted to add enzyme drops to liquid dairy foods before [[Shabbat]] and drink the dairy on [[Shabbat]]. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt). See Refuas Yisrael, pg. 245. </ref>
# For lactose intolerance, some poskim rule that one may not take enzyme supplement tablets. But it is permitted to add enzyme drops to liquid dairy foods before [[Shabbat]] and drink the dairy on [[Shabbat]]. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt). See Refuas Yisrael, pg. 245. </ref> Others are lenient.<ref>Rav Yisroel Belsky (Shu"t Shulchan HaLevi 10:2) ruled that lactase pills may be taken because they are not viewed as medicines. Chazal only forbade medicines because a person who is ill is physically distressed and might impetuously grind the ingredients on Shabbos. Lactase pills are not used to treat an illness. They simply provide the body with the missing enzymes that are necessary for the digestion of the milk sugars.</ref>
 
===Migraine===
===Migraine===
# For a migraine headache any oral [[medications]] may be taken. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
# For a migraine headache any oral [[medications]] may be taken. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
Line 132: Line 136:
# 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>
# 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===
===Stitches===
# Only a non-Jew is allowed to stitch any wound, even if the stitching is done only for cosmetic reasons. <ref> Minchas Shelomo 2:34-33 and Nishmas Avraham, vol. 4, O.C. 340. See also Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 33, note 26, and 35, note 65-66.</ref>A Jew may place a butterfly bandage or steri-strips to close a simple laceration or cut. Surgical skin closure glue may also be used. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt). See [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html].</ref>
# Only a non-Jew is allowed to stitch any wound, even if the stitching is done only for cosmetic reasons.<ref> Minchat Shelomo 2:34-33 and Nishmas Avraham, vol. 4, O.C. 340. See also Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 33, note 26, and 35, note 65-66.</ref> A Jew may place a butterfly bandage or steri-strips to close a simple laceration or cut. Surgical skin closure glue may also be used. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt). See [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html].</ref>


===Stopping bleeding===
===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>
# 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>
#It is permitted to remove a thorn slowly so that it won’t cause blood to come out. If it is impossible to remove without blood coming out it is nonetheless permitted to relieve pain.<ref>Machasit Hashekel 328:32 is lenient if it is impossible to avoid since it is only derabbanan and for tzaar it is permitted. Kaf Hachaim 308:96 agrees. However, Shulchan Aruch Harav 308:38, Gedulat Elisha 308:53, and Ben Ish Chai Miketz Shana Sheniya n. 12 are strict if it is a pesik reisha. Tehilah LDovid 328:47 asks why would it be forbidden if it is a pesik reisha since it is only a derabbanan of chavala and for tzaar it is permitted. He rejects the implication otherwise from Tosfot Sanhedrin 85a s.v. vrabbi shimon. Biur Halacha 308:11 s.v. hakotz explained the Magen Avraham like the Shulchan Aruch Harav and cites the Chemed Moshe who is lenient like the Machasit Hashekel. Rav Nevinsal in Byitzchak Yikareh 308:11 that he thinks the opinion of the Chemed Moshe is reasonable. See Leviat Chen who agrees.</ref>
===Strep throat===
===Strep throat===
# For a strep throat all oral [[medications]] may be taken. Even if the infection is no longer present, the prescribed medicine begun on a weekday must be continued until finished. A culture may be taken by a non-Jew. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
# For a strep throat all oral [[medications]] may be taken. Even if the infection is no longer present, the prescribed medicine begun on a weekday must be continued until finished. A culture may be taken by a non-Jew. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>
Line 185: Line 191:
# 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>
# 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>
# According to many poskim a doctor who was called into the hospital for an emergency can't drive home afterwards.<ref>Even though Igrot Moshe OC 4:80 was lenient, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Minchat Shlomo 1:8 was strict. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadia v. 3 p. 253 is strict. Tzitz Eliezer 21:59 writes that someone who relies on Rav Moshe has what to rely upon.</ref>
# According to many poskim a doctor who was called into the hospital for an emergency can't drive home afterwards.<ref>Even though Igrot Moshe OC 4:80 was lenient, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Minchat Shlomo 1:8 was strict. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Chazon Ovadia v. 3 p. 253 is strict. Tzitz Eliezer 21:59 writes that someone who relies on Rav Moshe has what to rely upon.</ref>
==Public Safety==
#It is permitted to violate any rabbinic prohibition to prevent something dangerous to the public.<Ref>Gemara Shabbat 42a, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 308:18, Mishna Brurah 408:77</ref>


==Related Pages==
==Related Pages==
# [[Tochen]] ([[grinding]])
# [[Tochen]] ([[grinding]])
# [[Brushing Teeth on Shabbat]]
# [[Brushing Teeth on Shabbat]]
==Credits==
==Credits==
Halachipedia is very thankful to Rabbi Doniel Neustadt who gave Halachipedia permission to use his valuable article on this topic to improve the Halachipedia page.
Halachipedia is very thankful to Rabbi Doniel Neustadt who gave Halachipedia permission to use his valuable article on this topic to improve the Halachipedia page.