1. We learned last week that one who experiences a mild illness may not take medicine on Shabbat. In addition to the examples mentioned last week, other examples of this category would include minor allergies, dry eyes or skin, or chapped lips (“Halachos of Refuah on Shabbos,” Part 2). Some poskim rule that assuming the condition will not deteriorate, one may not take medication for it which requires a consecutive regimen that includes Shabbat, such as antibiotics for a minor ear infection or skin condition, since the entire ailment is not severe enough to allow taking medication (R. Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe, O.C. 3:53). Other poskim are more lenient and allow taking medication if there is no alternative treatment and it must be taken on Shabbat, such as where it must be taken for at least seven days (R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, cited in Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah, ch.34, n.77). The latter approach is the more widely accepted one (see Piskei Teshuvot 328:2; Peninei Halacha, Shabbat 28:6; and Yalkut Yosef 328:49).

2. According to both opinions, if one already began a three or four-day treatment before Shabbat, but discontinuing or interrupting the medication could cause harm, it is permitted to continue it on Shabbat (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah, ch.34, n.77). This is often the case with antibiotics, where stopping in the middle could make the bacteria more resistant, causing further complications.

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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.