16,374
edits
Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
===Infants=== | ===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>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </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, Mishnah Berurah 328:131. See Tehillah l’David 328:24 and Minchas Yitzchak 4:124 who deal with this difficulty </ref> | # 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>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </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, Mishnah Berurah 328:131. See Tehillah l’David 328:24 and Minchas Yitzchak 4:124 who deal with this difficulty </ref> | ||
===Preparing medicine from before Shabbos== | |||
# One may crush a capsule or tablet of medicine into a food or drink before Shabbat (so it becomes disguised by the food) and then 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_Shabbos_Part_I Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz on YUTorah.org] </ref> | |||
===Continuing to take a daily dosage=== | ===Continuing to take a daily dosage=== | ||
# Although one who is not classified as “ill” may not begin taking medicine on Shabbos, still, one who requires daily medication for an ongoing condition may continue doing so on Shabbos as well. <ref> Chazon Ish (oral ruling, quoted in Imrei Yosher on Moed 97) and Rav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchasah 34, note 77) hold that one who requires daily medication for an ongoing condition may continue doing so on Shabbos as well. See a dissenting opinion in Igros Moshe, O.C. 3:53. Rav S. Kluger (Sefer ha-Chayim 328:10 and Shenos Chayim 1:152) even further and permit continuing taking medicine on Shabbos, even of the patient is not medically required to take the medicine on a daily basis. Minchas Shabbos 91:9; Tzitz Eliezer 8:15-15:15; Rav Y.S. Elyashiv (Koveitz Teshuvos, O.C. 1:40, and oral ruling, quoted in Refuas Yisrael, pg. 14) agree with Rav Kluger.</ref> | # Although one who is not classified as “ill” may not begin taking medicine on Shabbos, still, one who requires daily medication for an ongoing condition may continue doing so on Shabbos as well. <ref> Chazon Ish (oral ruling, quoted in Imrei Yosher on Moed 97) and Rav S.Z. Auerbach (Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchasah 34, note 77) hold that one who requires daily medication for an ongoing condition may continue doing so on Shabbos as well. See a dissenting opinion in Igros Moshe, O.C. 3:53. Rav S. Kluger (Sefer ha-Chayim 328:10 and Shenos Chayim 1:152) even further and permit continuing taking medicine on Shabbos, even of the patient is not medically required to take the medicine on a daily basis. Minchas Shabbos 91:9; Tzitz Eliezer 8:15-15:15; Rav Y.S. Elyashiv (Koveitz Teshuvos, O.C. 1:40, and oral ruling, quoted in Refuas Yisrael, pg. 14) agree with Rav Kluger.</ref> | ||
| Line 52: | Line 54: | ||
# Since cellulitis may be life-threatening immediate medical attention is required. <Ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | # Since cellulitis may be life-threatening immediate medical attention is required. <Ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
===Cold=== | ===Cold=== | ||
# For a cold one may not take medications or vitamins. | # 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 Shabbos 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), [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
===Cough=== | ===Cough=== | ||
# Cough–medication may not be taken. If the cough may be an indication of pneumonia or asthma, medication is permitted. <Ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | # Cough–medication may not be taken. If the cough may be an indication of pneumonia or asthma, medication is permitted. <Ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
| Line 60: | Line 62: | ||
# For diarrhea one may not take medication unless one is in severe pain or weak all over. Prune juice or any other food or drink is permitted. A hot water bottle is permitted when one experiences strong pains. <ref> Mishnah Berurah 326:19, [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | # For diarrhea one may not take medication unless one is in severe pain or weak all over. Prune juice or any other food or drink is permitted. A hot water bottle is permitted when one experiences strong pains. <ref> Mishnah Berurah 326:19, [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
===Chapped hands=== | ===Chapped hands=== | ||
# For dried (or chapped) hands it is prohibited to rub them with either oil, ointment (Vaseline) or lotion. One who regularly uses a pourable, liquid lotion or oil on his hands (whether they are chapped or not) may do so on Shabbos, too, even if his hands are chapped.<ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] based on S”A 327:1</ref> | # 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 Shabbos, too, even if his hands are chapped.<ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] based on S”A 327:1</ref> | ||
===Chapped lips=== | ===Chapped lips=== | ||
# For dried or cracked lips one may not apply chap stick or any other medication, liquid or otherwise. <Ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | # For dried or cracked lips one may not apply chap stick or any other medication, liquid or otherwise. <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] </ref> | ||
===Ear infection=== | ===Ear infection=== | ||
# 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 Shabbos; Minchas Yitzchak 4:45; Shemiras Shabbos 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> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </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 Shabbos; Minchas Yitzchak 4:45; Shemiras Shabbos 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> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
| Line 79: | Line 81: | ||
===Indigestion=== | ===Indigestion=== | ||
# One may take a leisurely walk in order to help digestion. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 477) </ref> | # One may take a leisurely walk in order to help digestion. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 477) </ref> | ||
# One may drink prune juice in order to act as a laxative. <ref>39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 481) </ref> | |||
===Infection=== | ===Infection=== | ||
# For an infection all medications are permitted. <Ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | # For an infection all medications are permitted. <Ref> [http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org] </ref> | ||
