Ask The Rabbi

Ask The Rabbi

category:  Chassidut

Calling the sick on Shabbat

The Rav Name: Rabbi Yitzchak Arad

My question is Is it okay to wish a non-messianic individual a happy new year?

Is it okay to call someone sick on the sabbath

Shalom and thank you for your questions, we will deal with the second question concerning Shabbat, as the first question is unclear. We will be happy to answer the first question if it can be rephrased in a way that we understand what you are getting at.

The circumstance that would allow calling a sick person on the Sabbath is if there is any danger to life. For example, if you know that there is no one nearby that can call for help in an emergency. Of course, all possible precautions should be taken to avoid such a situation, nevertheless, if it arises it is permissible to call.

We learn this from Leviticus 18:5, where it states “And you shall keep my statutes and my ordinances that man shall carry out and live by them… the L_rd your G-d.”

The Sages explain this to mean that we should live according to the commandments but not die because of them.

There are circumstances where even if there is only a small chance of saving someone’s life, we desecrate the Sabbath in order to try and save life. For example, we desecrate Shabbat even to bring a sick person a medication that is not ALWAYS effective, or even a medication which is experimental and its effectiveness is still in doubt. However if there is no solid basis at all to think that it MAY help, we are not allowed to try.

If a building was shattered by a bomb or a natural disaster, and we are not sure if anyone is trapped inside, we nevertheless desecrate the Sabbath to try and save life. This is why there is a rule that “Danger to life defers keeping the Sabbath.”

It is not only permissible but rewarded, because of the great sanctity of life.

In general where possible, efforts should be made to avoid the need to desecrate the Sabbath.

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