Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

# Some poskim hold that it is forbidden to perform a biblically prohibited action on [[Shabbat]] (melacha deoritta) for someone who is in the category of "patient not dangerously ill" even if one does it in an abnormal manner (Shinui).<ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 32:2</ref> Some, however, hold that it is permitted to do actions in an abnormal way (Shinui) for a "patient not dangerously ill".<ref>Eglei Tal ([[Tochen]] #18), [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/797263/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Shiur_#3_-_Shabbos_-_melacha_sh'eina_tzericha_l'gufa Rabbi Hershel Schachter in a shiur on yutorah.org (towards end of shiur)]</ref>

# It is permitted and a mitzvah to violate Shabbat in order to safe a Jewish life.<ref>Gemara Yoma 84a, Rambam (Shabbat 2:1), Tur and Shulchan Aruch 328:2</ref> Even if there is only a doubt if the patient is critically ill<ref>Shulchan Aruch 328:6, Mishna Brurah 328:17, 328:26</ref> or if there is a doubt if the procedure will safe the patient's life<ref>Mishna Brurah 328:37</ref>, nonetheless, it is a mitzvah to violate Shabbat in order to try to save a Jewish life. Someone who delays in saving a life out of a concern of violating Shabbat is sinning in a way that is tantamount to murder.<ref>Shulchan Aruch 328:2</ref>

# A rabbi should be careful to teach his community that it is permitted and a mitzvah to violate Shabbat for life endangering concerns.<ref>Mishna Brurah 328:6</ref>

===Infants===

===Preparing medicine from before Shabbat===

===Continuing to take a daily dosage===

# Although one who is not classified as “ill” may not begin taking medicine on [[Shabbat]], still, some poskim hold that one who requires daily medication for an ongoing condition may continue doing so on [[Shabbat]] as well, <ref> Chazon Ish (oral ruling, quoted in Imrei Yosher on Moed 97, Daat Chazon Ish 7:19, Dinim Vihanhagot Chazon Ish 15:1), Shulchan Shlomo 328:59, Beer Moshe 1:33:8, 4:31, Avnei Yushfei 1:90:3, Rivevos Ephraim 3:227, 4:97:54, 5:202, Oz Nedberu 1:31:5, 4:24. Refer to Shemiras [[Shabbos]] K’hilchoso 34:footnote 76, chelek 3:34:footnote 76. <br />

==Non-medical treatment==

===Using a Band Aid===

# 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>

# Most authorities permit removing the Band-Aid from the protective tabs, while some are stringent and so to satisfy all opinions one may prepare Band-Aids for [[Shabbat]] use by peeling off their protective tabs and re-sealing them before [[Shabbat]]. <Ref> Most poskim (oral ruling by Rav M. Feinstein, quoted in Kitzur Hilchos [[Shabbat]] 44, note 117); Rav S.Z. Auerbach in Shulchan Shelomo 328:45; Ohr l’Tziyon 2:36-15; Az Nidberu 7:34, 35; Rav C.P. Scheinberg, quoted in Children in Halachah, pg. 88; Rav N. Karelitz, quoted in Orchos [[Shabbat]] 11:35) permit removing the protective tabs from a Band-Aid, while others (Minchas Yitzchak 5:39-2; 9:41; Rav Y.S. Elyashiv, quoted in Machazeh Eliyahu 70) are stringent. To satisfy all opinions, one may prepare Band-Aids for [[Shabbat]] use by peeling off their protective tabs and re-sealing them before [[Shabbat]]; once they have been prepared in this fashion, they may be used on [[Shabbat]] (Tzitz Eliezer 16:6-5). Sh”t Bear Moshe 1:36 writes that it is obvious that it is permitted to remove the plastic tabs from the sides of a bandaid on [[Shabbat]] and it isn't [[Koreah]]. </ref>

===Diarrhea===

===Chapped hands===

# For dried (or chapped) hands it is prohibited to rub them with either oil, ointment (Vaseline) or lotion. <ref> 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 481) </ref>One who regularly uses a pourable, liquid lotion or oil on his hands (whether they are chapped or not) may do so on [[Shabbat]], too, even if his hands are chapped.<ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)based on S”A 327:1</ref>

===Conception Pills===

# Some poskim permit taking pills to help a woman give birth. <ref> Chacham Ovadia Yosef, Rav Moshe Stern, and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach cited on [http://www.halachayomit.co.il/EnglishDefault.asp?HalachaID=3319 Halacha Yomit] </ref>

# For an ear infection all [[medications]] are permitted. Cotton balls may be inserted. <Ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org], It is prohibited to tear cotton balling on [[Shabbat]]; Minchas Yitzchak 4:45; Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 35:20.  </ref> Even if the infection is no longer present, prescribed medicine begun on a weekday must be continued until finished in order to avoid a relapse. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</ref>

===Fever===

# For a fever any oral [[medications]] may be taken. A mercury thermometer may be used. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)based on S”A O.C. 306:7 </ref> If a person is suffering from high-grade fever, a non-Jew may be asked to do whatever the patient needs in order to feel better. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 328:46, 47 </ref> If the cause of the fever is unknown, a doctor should be consulted.

===Headache===

# For a headache medication should not be taken. If the headache is severe enough so that one feels weak all over or is forced to go to bed, medication may be taken. One who is unsure if he has reached that stage of illness may be lenient and take pain- relieving medication. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)See Ketzos ha-Shulchan 138, pg. 100; Minchas Yitzchak 3:35; Be’er Moshe 1:33; 2:32. </ref>

# One who is ill or in need of using chemical hand warmers on [[Shabbat]], such as in the case of Raynaud's syndrome, or a soldier on guard duty who must remain alert may do so on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> [http://www.yeshiva.co/ask/?id=4876 Yeshiva.org] based on Rav Dov Lior in his book Dvar Chevron Siman 236 pg. 125 </ref>

===Retainer===

# One may insert and remove a retainer on [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Shemiras [[Shabbat]] K’hilchasah 34:29 </ref>

===Scab===

# It is permitted to remove a scab as long as blood is not drawn from the wound. <ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)based on S”A O.C. 328:22 and Mishna Brurah 90. </ref>