YeshivaThe torah world Gateway Beit Midrash
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Laws of Shabbat
- The Melachot
Answer: It is Rabbinically prohibited to have medical treatment (refuah) on Shabbat (Shabbat 111a; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 328:1) out of concern that this may lead him to violate Shabbat, e.g., by grinding herbs. However, just as there are dispensations for one who is truly sick, even if it is not life threatening (choleh she’ein bo sakana =csebs) to have things done that are usually forbidden on Shabbat (see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 328:17), so too the prohibition of refuah is waived (Rama ad loc. 37; see Orchot Shabbat 20:(149)).
There is also leniency in the other direction. Sometimes a health-minded action is not considered medicinal, either because there is no "halachic malady" or because the action is not similar enough to the prohibition. (Details/distinctions are complex – see Shulchan Aruch, OC 328 and Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 34.) However, nose drops/spray for nasal issues are halachically medicinal (Shemirat Shabbat K’hilchata 34:10).
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (654)
Rabbi Daniel Mann
479 - V’ten Tal U’matar for those Returning Abroad in the Fall
480 - Taking Medicine to Facilitate Mitzvot
481 - Challenge with Monetary Prize
Load More
One can raise grounds for leniency. The goal was not to solve a problem of allergies but to rule out a concern for Corona and allow normalcy. In contrast, the logic of issur refuah is that one whose mind is focused on healing his malady may forget to not avoid violating Shabbat in the process (see Rif, Shabbat 24b; Eglei Tal, Tochen 16). Rav M. Feinstein (Igrot Moshe, Yoreh Deah IV, 13) allowed a "healthy asthmatic" to take medicine to prevent an attack while exerting himself walking to shul, because he was not suffering when he took the medicine, so it is dissimilar to the classic concern. This could apply to our case as well. However, while my main motivation was for something external, I also would have used the spray, during the week, to alleviate the likely allergies.
A better justification is to facilitate mitzva/ot (minyan, kri’at hatorah, guests – discussion of which need is a sufficient mitzva is beyond our scope). The Minchat Yitzchak (I:108) argues, in a parallel case, that since mitzvot are grounds to allow asking a non-Jew to violate a Rabbinic prohibition (Shulchan Aruch, OC 307:5), they can justify taking medicines (based on Radbaz III:640).
The Orchot Shabbat (20:(197)) strengthens this approach with the Magen Avraham’s statement (338:1) that whatever is permitted for a csebs is permitted for a mitzva. He is slightly hesitant, perhaps primarily out of concern for a slippery slope (e.g., people will say "I cannot learn or enjoy my meal properly the way I feel"). I would distinguish between defined mitzvot one will miss and between enhancing mitzvot. Chazal were well aware that people with a meichush enjoy everything less, and still their concern about chillul Shabbat caused them to prohibit medicine. Similar concerns made them cancel the mitzvot of shofar and lulav!
Some claim that issur refuah is anachronistic, as people do not prepare their own medicines nowadays. The main refutation is that we do not undo Rabbinic laws even if their basis changes (Rambam, Mamrim 2:2). Actually, the claim is anachronistic - nowadays many people prepare home-made remedies (Google search "herbal remedies" – 141 mil. results).
I did use the medicine.

Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Ask the Rabbi: Omitting Tachanun in Selichot in the Presence of Simcha
Lessons
fast navigation

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.

Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.

Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.

The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?

Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.

Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.








