- Shabbat and Holidays
- General Questions
Healing on Shabbat
Question
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath Day?
Answer
My understanding of your question is if performing "healing" on Shabbat is permissible. By healing, I assume you are referring to some form of transference of energies. If my understanding is incorrect please send in your question again, but please elaborate.
Allow me first to apologize for the delay in my answer.There is much to be asked if healing actually works and if it is permissible even on a weekday. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner wrote a long article on it in Hebrew which can be viewed on the internet at the following link.
http://www.medethics.org.il/articles/ASSIA/ASSIA75-76/ASSIA75-76.04.asp
His conclusions are that there is no real scientific proof that it is effective. Although, he does not believe it is to be considered today as idol worship, but in his opinion, it definitely stems from there. Nonetheless, he does not see it as forbidden, but he suggests to refrain from such methods since it is possible that in some Halachic opinions it is forbidden. Also he suggests that one should not neglect conventional medicine and if one does resort to it, it should only be as an addition but in place of conventional medicine.
After having said all that, as far as Shabbat is concerned, I was told by Rabbi Yakov Ariel, the Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, that since there is no physical action taking place, it would not be considered forbidden on Shabbat as other forms of medicine on Shabbat are.
May you enjoy good health!

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