Over the last two weeks, we have studied many of the relevant halachot concerning a choleh she’ein bo sakanah. This week, we will discuss some additional specific details that are relevant to this subject.

1. In cases where a choleh she’ein bo sakanah is allowed to take medicine, if the patient does not have the necessary medicine at home and cannot obtain it from a neighbor easily, it is permitted to ask a non-Jew to purchase it on the patient’s behalf. The reason is that as we have learned, a non-Jew may be asked directly to perform melachah on behalf of a choleh she’ein bo sakanah.

2. If a non-Jew is not available, it is even permitted for a Jew to enter a pharmacy to purchase it if this can be done without paying for it (such as paying after Shabbat or having a non-Jew pay). In addition, no electronic devices or alarms may be set off, and no other prohibitions may be violated in the process (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 33:4). Rather, one should wait for a non-Jew to enter or exit the building and follow behind them after the doors have already been opened.

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.