5

Is one allowed to take medicine on shabbas to help prevent something? Can one for example take tums before eating a meal because he knows he will get heartburn after?

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Article of interest on מאכל בריאים.
    – Fred
    Jan 15, 2013 at 3:10
  • Why do you think otherwise? Is there any other sort of medicine that is not allowed? (Yes, I know there is, but others don't, so writing about it in your question would help your question make more sense to a general audience.)
    – msh210 ♦
    Jan 15, 2013 at 3:21
  • It's not at all clear that you'd be allowed to take an antacid even after getting heartburn, unless the symptoms were really severe. But the general question is a very good one in cases where it is relevant.
    – Dave
    Jan 15, 2013 at 3:42

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

The topic of preventative medicine on Shabbos is explained in "The 39 Melochos Book" by Rabbi Dovid Ribiat (vol. 2 pg. 483). He explains that the reason the Sages forbade medicine on Shabbos is because of the concern that the anxiety due to his situation may lead him to desecrate Shabbos. This therefore only applies when one is presently suffering from an ailment. Preventative therapy however is permitted in general on Shabbos even with the use of medication. Examples of this include:

  • Taking an antacid before eating to prevent heartburn.
  • Taking a tablet to prevent the onset of a migraine
  • Diabetic, ashtma or other chronic medication

Regarding vitamins he brings an argument amongst contemporary Halachic authorities. Some (Igress Moshe OC 3:54) forbid it if has the end result of strengthning his body (and not just preventing illness) while others permit (Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchoso 34:18 footnote 76-77).

Improve this answer
5
  • Sounds like it is his own logic.
    – sam
    Jan 16, 2013 at 2:12
  • @sam It is, though he bases it on poskim (Mishna Berura etc.). I asked the Rosh Kollel here for his opinion, who says that it sounds quite reasonable.
    – Michoel
    Jan 16, 2013 at 2:45
  • Which Rosh Kollel?
    – sam
    Jan 16, 2013 at 16:40
  • @sam I'm not sure whether he would be comfortable with me posting his name here.
    – Michoel
    Jan 17, 2013 at 0:46
  • 1
    ,but u know that doesnt mean much,a name means alot but I understand .
    – sam
    Jan 17, 2013 at 14:24
3

R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Nishmas Avraham 1:164) held that one with a a mild headache may take an aspirin if this will avoid his developing a more severe headache. One doesn't need to wait until he is very sick to take the medicine. R' Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 34:16) concurs.

In addition, it would seem that tums are muttar to take anyway as it may come under the category of מאכל בריאים- food that is taken by otherwise healthy people. (See Mishna on Shabbos 109b)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .