Kitzur Shulchan Aruch by Shlomo Ganzfried

Author:Shlomo Ganzfried
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Metsudah Pub.
Published: 1996-01-01T03:00:00+00:00

Siman 91

One who is slightly ill and makes an effort [and manages] to get around like a well person, is forbidden to be medically treated in any way, even in a way that no melachah is involved. 1 The Sages prohibited taking cures lest one come to grind medicines. Grinding is one of the thirty nine major melachos (prohibited labors). This prohibition applies only to things done exclusively by and for the sick. Thus, walking for health reasons would be permitted since it is also done by persons who are well. [This applies] even to applying oil, 2 If this is done only by and for the sick. See footnote 1. [ Rema 327: 1; Mishnah Berurah ibid.] whether this is done by himself or by someone else or even by a non-Jew. 3 A non-Jew may be asked to do even a melachah d’oraisa for one who is ill enough to be confined to bed. [ Rambam ; Mishnah Berurah 326: 46] For one who is less ill, some permit asking a non-Jew to do a melachah d’rabanan. [ Magein Avraham 328: 12; Shulchan Aruch Harav, etc.] Others prohibit this. [ Chayei Adam 69: 1]

All foods and beverages which are consumed by people who are well may be eaten and drunk as a cure, even if they have some bad side effects, and it is [therefore] obvious that it is being done for medicinal reasons, nevertheless, it is permitted. Anything that is not eaten or drunk by well people, is forbidden to be eaten or drunk as a cure. 4 Unless you are ill enough to be confined to bed. You may consume herbal juices, or drink a raw egg to make your voice more pleasant. 5 Products consumed solely to improve your health are not permitted. [ Mishnah Berurah 328: 120] There is, however, disagreement among contemporary poskim regarding vitamins. This is not considered medicinal since your throat is not sore.

If you have a slight toothache but are not in great pain, do not rinse them (the teeth) with vinegar, or other liquid for medicinal purposes and then expectorate the liquid. 6 It is obvious that you are taking a cure. Rather, you should rinse and swallow it, or dip some bread into it and eat it as usual. Similarly, if you have a sore throat do not gargle with some liquid, 7 Gargling with mouthwash is permitted even for relief of a sore throat. [ Biur Halacha 302: 10] but, instead, swallow it and, if as a result, you feel better, then so be it. 8 For severe pain you may ask a non-Jew to do even a melachah d’oraisa or even a Jew to do a d’rabanan with a shinuy (doing the act in an atypical fashion). [ Minchas Shabbos ]

If you have abdominal pains and the like, or if you have a rash on your scalp, since in our society we do not usually apply oil except for medical purposes, it is forbidden to apply oil, because it is obvious that you are doing this as a cure.

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