#21: Undergoing an Operation Three Days Before Shabbat
- According to many opinions, one may not engage in any activity within three days before Shabbat that may cause a life-threatening situation to arise for which one would be forced to violate Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 248:4, based upon the Ba’al HaMa’or’s understanding of the prohibition to embark on a sea journey).
- Based on this, some poskim recommend trying to avoid scheduling an elective, non-urgent surgery within three days before Shabbat (Yalkut Yosef, O.C. 248:10; Shulchan Shlomo 248:3), while others disagree (Tzitz Eliezer 12:43). All agree that if the specialist can only perform the surgery later in the week, or if the surgery was already performed, that one may be lenient (Yalkut Yosef 248:10). Here too, it is recommended to consult with a rabbinic authority before scheduling such surgeries.
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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.
