1. If a patient who is in life-threatening condition requests assistance in some manner that is clearly not necessary for his condition, but will calm him further, rabbinic prohibitions may be violated by a Jew. Torah prohibitions may only be violated if the patient is suffering significant pain, or if the patient’s physical condition may possibly deteriorate as a result of not having his request fulfilled (Shemirat Shabbat K'hilchatah 32:23-26).

2. When traveling to the hospital, it is permissible for another person to accompany the patient in whatever way they get there, such as riding in an ambulance, having another Jew driving, or the like. We will see in future posts that the same applies to a woman in labor as well (Igrot Moshe). However, more than one person should not accompany the patient to the hospital unless there is a specific need for both of them to do so.

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