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Medicine on Shabbat: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Medicine.jpg|200px|right]]
[[File:Medicine.jpg|200px|right]]
One of several rabbinic decrees that our Sages enacted in order to guard the sanctity of [[Shabbat]] concerns the use of [[medications]]. In the opinion and experience of the Rabbis, easy access to medicine could lead to the transgression of certain [[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)</ref> (See the footnote for some background)<ref>
One of several rabbinic decrees that our Sages enacted in order to guard the sanctity of [[Shabbat]] concerns the use of [[medications]]. In the opinion and experience of the Rabbis, easy access to medicine could lead to the transgression of certain [[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)</ref> (See the footnote for some background)<ref>
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==Taking Medicine==
==Taking Medicine==
===If one has a minor condition===
===If one has a minor condition (Meychush BeAlma)===
# If someone has a minor condition which hurts such as a tooth ache, throat ache, head ache, cold, and cough it is forbidden to take any medicine such as pills or drops. However, someone who is in a lot of pain and because of it he is in bed or his body is weakened such as a migraine it permitted to take a medicine. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 34:1,3 and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu's comment on Kitzur S"A 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, 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 skana 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>
# If someone has a minor condition which hurts such as a tooth ache, throat ache, head ache, cold, and cough it is forbidden to take any medicine such as pills or drops. However, someone who is in a lot of pain and because of it he is in bed or his body is weakened such as a migraine it permitted to take a medicine. <Ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 34:1,3 and Rav Mordechai Eliyahu's comment on Kitzur S"A 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, 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 skana 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 allow someone who is accustomed to take pain killers for a head ache or tooth ache and if he doesn't take it will be in pain to make pain killers on [[Shabbat]].<ref> In Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] v. 4, pp. 408-9) he writes that some say that one may take pain killers on [[Shabbat]] because they don't cure but only remove pain, and some disagree. He concludes that one should only be lenient if a person is accustomed to taking such pain killers and if one doesn't take them one will be in pain. On page 143 in discussing the same leniency he specifically mentions pills that contain paracetamol which is the active ingredient in Tylenol, a pain killer.</ref>
# Some allow someone who is accustomed to take pain killers for a head ache or tooth ache and if he doesn't take it will be in pain to make pain killers on [[Shabbat]].<ref> In Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]] v. 4, pp. 408-9) he writes that some say that one may take pain killers on [[Shabbat]] because they don't cure but only remove pain, and some disagree. He concludes that one should only be lenient if a person is accustomed to taking such pain killers and if one doesn't take them one will be in pain. On page 143 in discussing the same leniency he specifically mentions pills that contain paracetamol which is the active ingredient in Tylenol, a pain killer.</ref>
===If one has a serious sickness===
===If one has a serious sickness (Choleh Shein Bo Sakana)===
# If one has fever, feels weak all over, or feels bad enough to require bed rest, he can be classified as a “patient not dangerously ill” and he is permitted to take oral [[medications]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 328:121 permits taking an oral medication without any shinui (alteration from the normal procedure). Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 4, pg 129) and 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 492) agree with the Mishna Brurah.  
# If one has fever, feels weak all over, or feels bad enough to require bed rest, he can be classified as a “patient not dangerously ill” and he is permitted to take oral [[medications]]. <ref>Mishna Brurah 328:121 permits taking an oral medication without any shinui (alteration from the normal procedure). Yalkut Yosef ([[Shabbat]], vol 4, pg 129) and 39 Melachos (Rabbi Ribiat, vol 2, pg 492) agree with the Mishna Brurah.  
Halachos of [[Refuah on Shabbat]] (Rabbi Bodner, pg 55) and The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)write that most poskim agree with the Mishna Brurah. See, however, Sh"t Igrot Moshe 3:53, Tzitz Eliezer 8:15:15, and Minchat Yitzchak 1:108, 6:28. </ref>
* Halachos of [[Refuah on Shabbat]] (Rabbi Bodner, pg 55) and The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)write that most poskim agree with the Mishna Brurah. See, however, Sh"t Igrot Moshe 3:53, Tzitz Eliezer 8:15:15, and Minchat Yitzchak 1:108, 6:28. </ref>
# Since “requiring bed rest” and “weak all over” are subjective terms, it is up to each individual to determine his personal pain threshold. There is no requirement to be overly stringent when judging the degree of illness. <ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org]. See also Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 14:50-7 and 17:13. </ref>
# Since “requiring bed rest” and “weak all over” are subjective terms, it is up to each individual to determine his personal pain threshold. There is no requirement to be overly stringent when judging the degree of illness. <ref>[http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5760/chukas.html Rabbi Doniel Neustadt on Torah.org]. See also Sh"t Tzitz Eliezer 14:50-7 and 17:13. </ref>
# Some poskim hold that it is forbidden to perform a biblically prohibited action on [[Shabbat]] (melacha deoritta) for someone who is seriously sick 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 seriously sick person.<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>
===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>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</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>The Weekly Halachah Discussion (Rabbi Doniel Neustadt)</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>