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If someone cut their finger (lo aleinu!) on Shabbos in a way that wasn't going to threaten them however is a fairly deep cut may they get stitches put in by a non-Jew on Shabbos? Theoretically they could simply put on a bandage and wait until after Shabbos. Even though they might have a lot of pain from this, not necessarily would the pain be relieved from the stitches. As well with the bandage perhaps there is not a concern for bacteria getting in now.

The shailo could be broken down by first determining if this is a problem "tefira" (sewing -- which is normally ossur on Shabbos) by a person? If it is, perhaps since it won't be there for a long time it could be there is also a heter.

Keep in mind this is all being done with a goy, the question is is this a malacha at all in regards to putting stitches on a person. Perhaps it is but only a d'rabbanan and would have more room to allow this by using a non-Jew.

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    If it involves going to the emergency room, DO. LIKE. TUESDAY.
    – Shalom
    Apr 17, 2013 at 0:50
  • @Shalom Tuesday?
    – Seth J
    Apr 17, 2013 at 1:54
  • @Seth Or any other weekday.
    – Double AA ♦
    Apr 17, 2013 at 2:12
  • @double aa, I still don't get it. Does that mean act like it's Tuesday, or wait until Tuesday?
    – Seth J
    Apr 17, 2013 at 12:45
  • @SethJ I think it's quite obvious
    – Yehoshua
    Apr 17, 2013 at 17:40

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If an injury is serious enough to require stitches, it's serious enough to require them on Shabbath.

Now, how seriously one needs to personally violate Shabbath (driving, calling an ambulance, signing forms, etc.) to see a doctor to perform the procedure may depend on the severity and one's ability to circumvent Shabbath violations in the course of pursuing medical treatment.

But if it's just a question of having a non-Jew stitch a cut, again, any cut requiring stitches is severe enough to permit.

There are other considerations besides pain or even blood-loss, by the way, such as risk of infection, and in the case of a finger (and other extremities) nerve damage, to name just two of many. A small bandage might not be able to prevent infection if the cut is severe.

For practical guidance, CYLOR and CYLMD.

Source: My LOR and LMD.

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  • Even a cut on ones finger that perhaps only needs a few stitches?
    – Yehoshua
    Apr 17, 2013 at 11:25
  • @Yehoshua, most cuts don't require stitches at all. If one does, however, that is a severe enough cut to seek medical attention even on Shabbath.
    – Seth J
    Apr 17, 2013 at 12:34

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