1. We have learned over the past few days that it is permitted, and obligatory, to violate Shabbat to save the life of a Jew in danger. According to the strict halacha, it is prohibited to violate Shabbat to save the life of a non-Jew (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 330:2 and commentaries). However, the practical halacha today is that this is permitted for multiple reasons (Chatam Sofer 2:131; Igrot Moshe O.C. 4:79).

2. Although, as mentioned, it is permitted for doctors and others to violate Shabbat to save the life of a non-Jew today, it is preferable for a hospital run according to halacha (such as certain hospitals in Israel) to arrange for gentiles to be on staff as nurses and doctors on Shabbat. That way, any non-Jewish patients can be referred to them. In the United States and other countries, where most of the staff consists of non-Jews, this is less of an issue. Nevertheless, in all cases, if a Jewish doctor is consulted because he or she is considered the expert on the issue, he certainly should violate Shabbat if necessary to care for the patient.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for everlasting peace in Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.