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Medications: Difference between revisions

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==Medicine mixed with Sweeteners==
==Medicine mixed with Sweeteners==
# Some say even if the medicine itself does not have flavor, but is mixed with other ingredients (sweeteners) that have flavor, one still recites a beracha on the medicine.<ref>Opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita as expressed in Vezos Ha’beracha page 113. </ref> The reason for this opinion is because the mixture tastes pleasant and we do not look at the medicine before the taste was placed into it.<ref>Vezos Ha’beracha Birur Halacha page 310. </ref> This is the opinion of many poskim.<ref>Refer to Da’as Torah 204, Vezos Ha’beracha pages 310-311 in depth, opinion of Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlita quoted in Nishmas Avraham (English) page 89:footnote E. </ref>
# Some say even if the medicine itself does not have flavor, but is mixed with other ingredients (sweeteners) that have flavor, one still recites a beracha on the medicine.<ref>Opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita as expressed in Vezos Ha’beracha page 113. </ref> The reason for this opinion is because the mixture tastes pleasant and we do not look at the medicine before the taste was placed into it.<ref>Vezos Ha’beracha Birur Halacha page 310. </ref> This is the opinion of many poskim.<ref>Refer to Da’as Torah 204, Vezos Ha’beracha pages 310-311 in depth, opinion of Harav Ovadia Yosef Shlita quoted in Nishmas Avraham (English) page 89:footnote E. </ref>
# Some say if one consumes a medicine which contains sweeteners (and if not for the need of the medicine one would not consume the sweeteners, then no beracha is required.<ref>Opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l quoted in Vezos Ha’beracha pages 113-114, and in V’sein Beracha page 201:footnote 15.1. See explanation of this opinion in Vezos Ha’beracha page 312. Refer to Pnei Ha’shulchan page 151-152, Nishmas Avraham 1:204:page 91, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 40:footnote 191, Nishmas Avraham 1:page 90 (English), Ateres Shlomo 8:page 111. In the Halichos Shlomo Yom Kippur 5:footnote 42 it states that Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l retracted his previous position with regard to not reciting a beracha on sweetened medication. Refer to Vezos Ha’beracha page 356:9 notes of Harav Forst Shlita on Vezos Ha’beracha. The opinion of Harav Pinchus Bonder Shlita is that no beracha is recited on pleasant tasting cough syrup based on the pesak he heard from Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l (Personal telephone conversation with Harav Bodner Shlita). </ref> Others say no beracha is recited because such sweetener is only a tafel to the <br>actual medication and if no beracha is recited on the ikur, then one does not recite a beracha on the tafel.<ref>Opinion of Harav Neuwirth Shlita quoted in Nishmas Shabbos 4:204, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 40:footnote 191.  Refer to Halacha U’refuah 3:pages 282-284 in depth. However, see Mishnah Berurah 174:39 and 212:1 who says the halacha is that a beracha is recited on the tafel.  See Pischei Halacha (Berochos) page 246 who disputes the claim that the reason why no beracha is recited here is because no beracha is recited on the tafel. Refer to  Rivevos Ephraim 4:54:39. </ref> Nonetheless, others disagree with this reasoning and maintain that a beracha should be recited even in this situation.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Vezos Ha’beracha page 114, and in V’sein Beracha page 200:footnote 15, opinion of Harav Ovadia Yosef quoted in Yalkut Yosef 204:10:footnote 10, opinion of Harav Feinhandler Shlita (Avnei Yushfei in a personal e-mail).  Refer to Igros Moshe O.C. 1:82, Pischei Halacha (Berochos page 246).  Others say that it could be that Harav Elyashiv Shlita held this only in regard to medicine that is thoroughly enjoyed (Refer to Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 53:page 77:footnote 43).</ref> Since there is a dispute in this regard, one should recite a beracha on a different shehakol food and have in mind to exempt the medicine.<ref>Piskei Teshuvos 204:footnote 75. </ref>
# Some say if one consumes a medicine which contains sweeteners (and if not for the need of the medicine one would not consume the sweeteners, then no beracha is required.<ref>Opinion of Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l quoted in Vezos Ha’beracha pages 113-114, and in V’sein Beracha page 201:footnote 15.1. See explanation of this opinion in Vezos Ha’beracha page 312. Refer to Pnei Ha’shulchan page 151-152, Nishmas Avraham 1:204:page 91, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 40:footnote 191, Nishmas Avraham 1:page 90 (English), Ateres Shlomo 8:page 111. In the Halichos Shlomo [[Yom Kippur]] 5:footnote 42 it states that Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l retracted his previous position with regard to not reciting a beracha on sweetened medication. Refer to Vezos Ha’beracha page 356:9 notes of Harav Forst Shlita on Vezos Ha’beracha. The opinion of Harav Pinchus Bonder Shlita is that no beracha is recited on pleasant tasting cough syrup based on the pesak he heard from Harav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach zt”l (Personal telephone conversation with Harav Bodner Shlita). </ref> Others say no beracha is recited because such sweetener is only a tafel to the <br>actual medication and if no beracha is recited on the ikur, then one does not recite a beracha on the tafel.<ref>Opinion of Harav Neuwirth Shlita quoted in Nishmas Shabbos 4:204, Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchoso 40:footnote 191.  Refer to Halacha U’refuah 3:pages 282-284 in depth. However, see Mishnah Berurah 174:39 and 212:1 who says the halacha is that a beracha is recited on the tafel.  See Pischei Halacha (Berochos) page 246 who disputes the claim that the reason why no beracha is recited here is because no beracha is recited on the tafel. Refer to  Rivevos Ephraim 4:54:39. </ref> Nonetheless, others disagree with this reasoning and maintain that a beracha should be recited even in this situation.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, opinion of Harav Elyashiv Shlita quoted in Vezos Ha’beracha page 114, and in V’sein Beracha page 200:footnote 15, opinion of Harav Ovadia Yosef quoted in Yalkut Yosef 204:10:footnote 10, opinion of Harav Feinhandler Shlita (Avnei Yushfei in a personal e-mail).  Refer to Igros Moshe O.C. 1:82, Pischei Halacha (Berochos page 246).  Others say that it could be that Harav Elyashiv Shlita held this only in regard to medicine that is thoroughly enjoyed (Refer to Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society 53:page 77:footnote 43).</ref> Since there is a dispute in this regard, one should recite a beracha on a different shehakol food and have in mind to exempt the medicine.<ref>Piskei Teshuvos 204:footnote 75. </ref>
# According to all opinions, medicine for children which is sweet like candy would require a beracha.<ref>Pischei Halacha (Berochos) page 68:footnote 39 alef. </ref>
# According to all opinions, medicine for children which is sweet like candy would require a beracha.<ref>Pischei Halacha (Berochos) page 68:footnote 39 alef. </ref>


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==Taking Pills on a Fast Day ==
==Taking Pills on a Fast Day ==
# On a fast day one that is not feeling well and wants to take a pill is permitted to do so. Some say one should wrap the pill in a tissue before swallowing it.<ref>Halichos Shlomo Moadim 2:13:footnote 8. </ref> Some poskim say that one may not use water to swallow a pill.<ref>Nishmas Avraham 550:4.</ref> (However, if one's doctor instructs him to take a pill on a fast day then even according to this opinion using a little water is permitted).<ref> Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, Halichos Shlomo Moadim (Pesach etc) 16:3, Nishmas Avraham 5:page 46. </ref> Others say if one cannot take a pill without water then one may use a little water.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:156. </ref> One should avoid this if possible on Tisha B'av, and on Yom Kippur since using water in order to swallow a pill is forbidden.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:156.</ref> One is permitted to take a medication before a fast if it will enable him to have an easier fast.<ref>Nechamas Yisroel 27:22. </ref>
# On a fast day one that is not feeling well and wants to take a pill is permitted to do so. Some say one should wrap the pill in a tissue before swallowing it.<ref>Halichos Shlomo Moadim 2:13:footnote 8. </ref> Some poskim say that one may not use water to swallow a pill.<ref>Nishmas Avraham 550:4.</ref> (However, if one's doctor instructs him to take a pill on a fast day then even according to this opinion using a little water is permitted).<ref> Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, Halichos Shlomo Moadim (Pesach etc) 16:3, Nishmas Avraham 5:page 46. </ref> Others say if one cannot take a pill without water then one may use a little water.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:156. </ref> One should avoid this if possible on Tisha B'av, and on [[Yom Kippur]] since using water in order to swallow a pill is forbidden.<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Teshuvos V’hanhugos 3:156.</ref> One is permitted to take a medication before a fast if it will enable him to have an easier fast.<ref>Nechamas Yisroel 27:22. </ref>
# There is a discussion in the poskim if one is allowed to use mouthwash on the morning of a fast day. Some poskim are stringent,<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Kinyan Torah 2:49:2, Modanei Yeshurin page 108, Chai Ha’Levi 5:48, Divrei Chachumim page 166:471 quoting the opinion of Harav Sheinberg Shlita. Some say if there is a need, brushing ones teeth is permitted (Divrei Chachumim Ibid). </ref> while others say if one will have bad breath then it is permitted.<ref>Be’er Moshe 8:94. Refer to Minchas Yitzchok 4:109. </ref>
# There is a discussion in the poskim if one is allowed to use mouthwash on the morning of a fast day. Some poskim are stringent,<ref>Harav Yisroel Belsky Shlita, see Kinyan Torah 2:49:2, Modanei Yeshurin page 108, Chai Ha’Levi 5:48, Divrei Chachumim page 166:471 quoting the opinion of Harav Sheinberg Shlita. Some say if there is a need, brushing ones teeth is permitted (Divrei Chachumim Ibid). </ref> while others say if one will have bad breath then it is permitted.<ref>Be’er Moshe 8:94. Refer to Minchas Yitzchok 4:109. </ref>
# Taking Listerine Pocketpaks® (that have a hechsher) is not permitted on a fast day since one swallows the liquid which melts in the mouth.
# Taking Listerine Pocketpaks® (that have a hechsher) is not permitted on a fast day since one swallows the liquid which melts in the mouth.