Introduction
- When considering ailments and illnesses on Shabbos, there are three primary levels of severity which halacha distinguishes between. These levels are as follows:
- ‘meichush’ or ‘miktzas choli’ – minor aches and pains or illnesses, which do not fundamentally prevent one from functioning normally
- ‘choleh she’ein bo sakana’ – one who is ill but not dangerously so; this is defined someone who is bed-bound or feels unable to function properly as their whole body is weak due to illness
- ‘choleh sheyesh bo sakana’ – one who is ill to the point that there is a chance, even of a low probability, that they may die from their illness.
Over the coming pages we will iyH explore the first two categories; perhaps on another occasion we will take a look at third category as well. At this stage, we will suffice with saying that as soon as one encounters a situation when an illness (or indeed other situations like a fire etc) may (even with a low probability) be life threatening, one is strictly obligated to take any steps required to get the necessary medical help, even if this involves breaking Shabbos; indeed one who delays doing so in situations when time may be of the essence, out of fear of breaking Shabbos, is termed a murderer by Shulchan Aruch, as such delays can be the difference between life and death (SA 328:1-2, 17, MB 1, PT 4, SSK 33:1).
Halachos of Minor Ailments (Meichush/Miktzas Choli)
In his treatment of our topics of minor and more severe ailments, Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa in chapters 32 to 35 explores at some length different illnesses and ailments and their modes of treatment. I do not propose to cover these in detail, as most cases will not be relevant to most people most of the time; rather we will try and cover the main principles with some examples, and when one is suffering from a specific ailment, one should consult one’s Rav and medical practitioner as required.
- As mentioned in the introduction, included in the category of ‘meichush’ or ‘miktzas choli’ are minor aches, pains and illnesses which may cause distress but do not make one feel one needs to go to bed, nor feel weak all over and preventing one from functioning normally. Examples include minor toothaches, sore throats, headaches, colds or coughs (SSK 34:1, fn 7).
- General rule: Chazal decreed that in cases of minor ailments, one may not engage in healing activities, such as taking medication (with some exceptions, as we will soon see iyH), as a decree lest one do melacha to prepare medication.
- Whilst there is some debate in the poskim whether we can be more lenient nowadays given our medication is factory-produced, so individuals do not do melachos in making their medication, SSK (Shmiras Shabbos KeHilchasa) rules that this decree remains in place. This is the ruling of many contemporary authorities and our treatment of these halachos is based on this ruling (SA 327:1, 328:1, 37, SSK 34:3, fn 7).
- Eating regular foods: one who is suffering from a minor ailment may eat a regular food, which is also eaten by healthy people, to help alleviate their pain, if eating it in its normal manner.
- Examples: For example, one who has a sore throat may eat honey, drink a solution of milk and honey, or eat lemon, to help alleviate their pain.
- Likewise, one who has toothache may drink brandy or whisky with the aim of reducing the pain, but one may not swirl it round ones mouth and spit it out, or even hold it in one’s mouth for longer than usual before swallowing it (it must be noted that contemporary medical opinion does not endorse the use of alcohol to help toothache, indeed warning it may make things worse; I bring the example as it is quoted by some poskim to illustrate the principles above) (SA 328:32, 37, MB 101, 102, SSK 34:4).
When One May Take Medication for a Meichush
- A course of medication: if one has started a treatment involving taking medication over a number of consecutive days to treat mere aches and pains, or a mild illness, (which are generally forbidden to treat on Shabbos), many are lenient to permit one to take the medicine on Shabbos as well.
- However, where the course of treatment can be designed to avoid taking medication on Shabbos, this should be done. For example, if it is a course of medication that lasts less than a week and based on medical advice one can delay commencing it until the start of the following week, thus removing the need to take the medicine on Shabbos, one should do so. Similarly, if one is taking the medication once a day and based on medical advice one is able take it on Friday during the daytime and next on Motzei Shabbos, one should do so.
- Furthermore, if (but only if!) one’s medical practitioner says Shabbos can be skipped in the course of treatment without affecting its efficacy, one should refrain from taking the medication on Shabbos (SSK 34:17, fn77, PT 328:3, OS 20:124).
- In cases when one is a ‘choleh she’ein bo Sakana,’ however, there would be no need to design the treatment in a way that avoids taking medication on Shabbos.
Group Introduction
Welcome to those who have joined the group. As a brief overview of how the group works, we have iyH daily posts of new material on Hilchos Shabbos which I aim on average to be around 150 words, which are then followed by a review of a summary of the material from one day, one week, one month and three months previously, to try and help us to retain and apply the material we have learned. Having just joined you can choose to ignore the review of the material from prior to you joining but feel free to read it if you wish! (Our ‘3 months ago’ review is just restarting the Halachos of Kiddush so if you track these over the next 3 months you’ll see a summary of all our material on this subject) I try to include the material both in text and voicenote format (by email I only sent text)
We also have extra posts in relation to the time of year – from today we’ll iyH start reviewing the Halachos of the Three Weeks, Nine Days and Tisha B’Av.
As mentioned in the publicity, the halachos are normally based on the rulings of the Mishna Berura and (for Hilchos Shabbos) Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa, reflecting Ashkenazi practice. I align the halachos to these two sefarim as they are widely accepted and it means we can give clear cut guidance on the halachos. However, where issues are subject to very significant dispute amongst contemporary poskim I try to note this and refer people to their Rav for a final ruling. I will occasionally reference other Sefarim where needed to help clarify an issue, or raise other relevant practical issues not covered in the Sefarim above.
The messages will be posted on the core halachos community announcement channel which only admins can post on, if you have any questions or would like clarification on the material, feel free to message me privately.
Acronyms for sources:
SA = Shulchan Aruch
R = Rema
MB = Mishna Berura; SHT = Sha’ar Hatziyun; BH”L = Biur Halacha (these are the 3 components of the Mishna Berura’s work)
SSK = Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa
OS = Orchos Shabbos
PT = Piskei Teshuvos
D = Dirshu comments on Mishna Berura
SH = Shone Halachos
