1. Poskim disagree as to whether it is better for an adult Jew to perform critical lifesaving actions that violate Shabbat or ask a non-Jew or child to do so if this does not cause any further harm to the patient or deterioration of their condition (Shulchan Aruch, Rema 328:12, and Mishnah Berurah there). Practically, many poskim rule that it is best for an adult Jew to do so, in order to show that saving a life itself on Shabbat is also a mitzvah, as well as to ensure that the best care is given to the patient – unless it is advantageous for some other reason to ask a non-Jew (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 32:6). However, some poskim recommend asking a non-Jew to perform actions that are not critical for saving a life, but designed for more comfort and the like (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 38:2). We will offer some examples tomorrow, IY”H.

2. If a Jew is performing the melachah, it is still preferable to use a shinui or any other method to reduce the severity of the action, if doing so does not cause any further harm or dangerous delay to the patient. Likewise, if the melachah can be done in a way that violates only a rabbinic prohibition, that is preferable to an action that constitutes a Torah prohibition (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah).

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