BABIES AND CHILDREN

170. All Sabbath rules may be set aside for the medical needs of the new-born infant even if it is clear that he has only a short time to live[267].

171. Sabbath laws may be set aside in order to prepare the appropriate nourishment for a baby who is used to a certain milk or food, and who may develop an intestinal upset if this is changed. No attempt must be made to change the food. Obviously it is obligatory to prepare the appropriate foods before the Sabbath and not rely on the fact that Sabbath laws may be set aside if this was not done[268].

172. Everything that may be done for a non-seriously ill patient may be done, if necessary, for the health of a child of up to 9 or 10 years of age, depending on his development. However each case must be judged on its own merits, and if his needs can be met without setting aside Sabbath laws, they may not be aside even if of Rabbinic origin or by a non-Jew[269].

173. The child may be given any medication necessary, whether as external drops (into his eyes, nose or ears), tablets or syrup; the tablets may be crushed and dissolved in water or juice[270].

174. Where essential, a non-Jew may be asked to do whatever necessary for the child's health even if Torah laws are thereby set aside[271].

175. A child old enough to walk who needs to be brought to a doctor, may be carried in a public domain even if there is no eruv, if it is difficult for him to walk. A baby who has not yet reached the stage of walking unaided may be carried to the doctor through a carmelith. Any seriously ill child may be carried, even through a public domain, in order to save life. Nevertheless one should make sure that the child does not carry anything in his hand or pocket that is not for the purpose of saving life. If, however, the child is injured or frightened, he may hold a toy in his hand in order to calm him[272].

176. A non-Jew may be asked to carry a non-seriously ill child through a public domain or drive him to receive medical attention[273]. The father or mother (or both, if necessary) may accompany the child in the car[274].



[267] Oral communication from R. R. Sh.Z. Auerbach. See Nishmat Avraham Pt. 4, Orach Chayyim 330:3 (page 49).

[268] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 37:1.

[269] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 37:2.

[270] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 37:9.

[271] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 38:24.

[272] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 18:51 and note 211 (corrected by R. Y.Y. Neuwirth).

[273] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 38:28.

[274] Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 40:70 and 71 (end).