1. We learned yesterday that it is generally forbidden for someone with a minor illness or pain (meichush) to take medicine on Shabbat. Examples of this category include a minor headache, a minor ear infection, minor sore throat, a backache, a cough, and the like. In all these cases, part of one’s body feels ill but one can generally still function normally and leave the house if one wishes.

2. Some poskim permit taking a painkiller in cases of minor illness, such as Tylenol or Neurofen, since it does not actually cure the underlying condition, but merely eases the symptoms temporarily (Tzitz Eliezer 14:50:5; Masoret Moshe, vol.3, O.C. 182). Another minority opinion holds that taking commercially produced medicine is permitted today, as most people do not grind the ingredients at home (see yesterday’s post) (Ketzot Hashulchan, Badei Hashulchan 134:7). Although as mentioned yesterday, most poskim do not accept these approaches, nevertheless, some allow one to be lenient when taking painkillers, if one feels they are not well (Chazon Ovadia, vol.3). The majority of poskim disagree with this and forbid even taking a painkiller. This is the more accepted opinion today (Orchot Shabbat 20:121; Dor Hamelaktim, vol.5; Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 34:3).

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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.