Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

===Infants===

===Preparing medicine from before Shabbat===

# One may crush a capsule or tablet of medicine so that it is mixed into a food or drink before [[Shabbat]]. Once it becomes disguised by the food one can eat the food or drink on [[Shabbat]].<ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 481), [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/739326/Rabbi_Aryeh_Lebowitz/Ten_Minute_Halacha_-_Medicine_on_Shabbat_Part_I Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz on YUTorah.org], Menuchat Ahava 1:21:75 cited by Tiferet 328:3 </ref> If one didn't do it before Shabbat, some allow mixing in a liquid medicine into a drink on Shabbat.<ref>Tiferet 328:3 citing Shevet Halevi 3:37, 8:82:2. See also Menuchat Ahava 1:21:75</ref>

==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>

===Eye Inflammation===

# For an eye inflammation eye drops (or ointment) may be instilled in the eye. If the eye is not inflamed but merely irritated, no medication is permitted. <Ref> The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt) based on S”A O.C. 328:20. Shulchan Aruch O.C. 328:9 states that if someone's eyes are inflamed or it has pus or blood coming out, or tears pouring out, one can violate Shabbat. Mishna Brurah 328:22 quotes the Gemara which explains that even though for a regular Sakanat Ever we shouldn't violate Shabbat since the health of a person's eyes are linked to his entire health he can violate Shabbat.</ref> Some permit putting in eye drops even if they are irritated.<ref>Chazon Ovadia Shabbat v. 3 p. 233 cited by Tiferet 328:31</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===