1. One who is a choleh she’ein bo sakanah may ask a non-Jew (or have another Jew ask on her behalf) to do anything necessary for treatment or to ease her situation, including Torah-level prohibitions (Tractate Shabbat 129a). A choleh she’ein bo sakanah is also permitted to take medicine on Shabbat (Rema, O.C. 328:37). She may also take a regimen of medication such as antibiotics that lasts for longer than a week, even after the condition has already improved. The reason is, as discussed previously, stopping antibiotics or other physician-prescribed medication could cause a regression or further damage.

2. If the medicine required involves creams or ointments, that raises a further question of memarei’ach (smoothing a semi-liquid into a thin layer). In such cases, one should try to rub all of the cream or ointment into the skin so it is fully absorbed, which does not constitute memarei’ach according to some poskim (Sha’ar Hatziun 316; R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, cited in Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchatah). If possible, it is also permitted in this case to dab on the cream without smoothing it on the skin (Chazon Ish).

To sign up for the daily halacha via WhatsApp or email, click here.

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.