Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

A rabbinic decree that our Sages enacted in order to guard the sanctity of [[Shabbat]] is the restriction of use of [[medications]] on Shabbat. In the opinion and experience of the Rabbis, easy access to medicine could lead to the transgression of certain melachot ([[Shabbat]] labors). While issuing the decree, however, the Rabbis were lenient in certain cases of those suffering pain or distress.<ref>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt). In regard to the [[muktzah]] status of pills and other [[medications]] see Minchas [[Shabbos]] 88:footnote 77, Har Tzvi tal harim tochain 2, Shalmei Yehuda 10:15:footnote 46, Zera Yaakov 13:page 153, Nachlas Yisroel pages 633-650 in depth, Shulchan Shlomo 318:7:2:page 298, Ohr Yisroel 6:pages 17-20, Aruch Ha’shulchan 308:59, Bais Avi 3:52, Avnei Yushfei 5:62.</ref> (See the footnote for some background.)<ref>*Rashi ([[Shabbat]] 53b s.v. Gezerah) explains that there is a rabbinic decree not to do an medical practice on [[Shabbat]] because one might come to violate the prohibition of [[Tochen]] ([[grinding]]) the ingredients for the medicine. [[Maggid]] Mishna ([[Shabbat]] 2:10) draws a distinction between one is sick but isn't in danger of his life and a person who is pain. Tur and Shulchan Aruch 338:1 rule that a healthy person who is in pain may not do any activity of healing because of the rabbinic decree.</ref> These laws are true for the first day of [[Yom Tov]] and the two days of [[Rosh Hashana]] as well.<ref>The same halacha applies to the first day of [[Yom Tov]] (Refer to Magen Avraham 532:2, Chai Adom 23:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 98:33, Mishna Brurah 532:5, [[Yom Tov]] Shenei K’hilchoso 1:22, Nishmas Avraham 1:pages 275-276) and both days of [[Rosh Hashana]]h (Nishmas Avraham 1:600:1, see Shemiras [[Shabbos]] K’hilchoso 31:28, [[Yom Tov]] Shenei K’hilchoso 1:22:footnote 76, Shevet Ha’kehusi 1:156 ) </ref>{{TOC|limit = 3}}

#If someone has a minor condition which hurts such as a tooth ache, throat ache, head ache, cold, or cough it is forbidden to take any medicine. However, someone who is in a lot of pain to the point that he is laying in bed or he can't function normally due to his weakness, as is the case with a migraine, it permitted to take medicine.<ref>Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata 34:1,3 and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu's comment on Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 91:1. The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt) writes that although contemporary poskim debate whether nowadays we can be more lenient with taking medication on [[Shabbat]] because of the change in technique of production of medicines, the general consensus is to reject this argument. See Minchas [[Shabbat]] 91:9; Ketzos ha-Shulchan 134:7; Chelkas Yaakov 4:41; and Tzitz Eliezer 8:15:15. See also [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]. The Yalkut Yosef 328:52 writes that a choleh shein bo skana (sick in bed) can take pills. He adds that in general someone who is in a lot of pain but isn't choleh shein bo sakana may not take the pills and only makes two exceptions, for someone who has a big headache and someone who has a big stomach ache.</ref>

#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 save a Jewish life.<ref>Gemara Yoma 84a, Rambam (Shabbat 2:1), Tur and Shulchan Aruch 328:2. Rav Shlomo Zalman (Shulchan Shlomo 328:4:3) writes that if there's pikuach nefesh on Shabbat we're not pained about having to do melacha for pikuach nefesh. It is similar to milah on Shabbat which is permitted. </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 save 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>Yerushalmi Yoma 8:5, Shulchan Aruch O.C. 328:2</ref> This is only true of a situation that needs to be dealt with immediately. In that case, it is forbidden to delay. But in a case of potential danger that is certainly not an immediate emergency it is correct and necessary to ask questions to minimize the violation of Shabbat.<ref>Aruch Hashulchan 328:2 quoting Risba</ref>

#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>

#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 />