Guide for Medical Response on Shabbos and Yom Tov

Additional Notes for Shabbos, Yom Tov Rishon and Yom Tov Sheni I. Making a Halachically permitted phone call for a “Category A or B” patient

When calling on behalf of a “Category A or B” patient, it is preferable to use a Shinuy as described below. If by using a Shinuy the time delay may be harmful to the patient, he may phone in the normal manner. 1. Knock the phone from the cradle or hook with your elbow. 2. For a portable phone, press the “on” button with any finger knuckle or another Shinuy. 3. Dial or press the first digits as usual. 4. Dial or press the final digit with any finger knuckle or another Shinuy. 5. Hang up the phone with a Shinuy only if the doctor, pharmacy, taxi, etc. will/may call back. Otherwise, leave the phone off the hook. II. Providing supervision for children during a “Category A” medical crisis

If there are children in the household who require supervision, and there is no one available to take care of them, one may drive the children to a caregiver or drive that person to the children. A Jew may open and close the car doors even though this will cause the lights to go on and off. III. Driving a “Category A” patient to a medical facility *(If the patient’s life is possibly or definitely threatened, it is recommended to call an ambulance or Hatzolah). A Jew may drive a “Category A” patient to obtain medical care. However, when the Jewish driver arrives at the medical facility, the car must be left in “park” with the engine running. A Jew may not close the door because this will cause the interior lights to go off. Ask a non-Jew to park the car. *(If the trip involves a woman in labor, see IV-2 below and use the prepared money as a tip for the person who parks the car.) IV. Transporting a “Category A” patient by taxi to a medical facility

If time allows, i.e. the condition of the patient will not deteriorate while he is waiting, it is preferable to call a taxi. Have the driver open and close the doors because the lights will go on and off. It is preferred that the Jew paying on Shabbos for the taxi not handle the money directly. Where the patient going to the medical facility will be a woman in labor, preparation should be made before the ninth month to pay the driver for a possible Shabbos trip. Options include:

1. Pay the cab company ahead of time. 2. Securely tape or clip money inside of a weekday jacket. When it is time to pay, open the jacket and let the driver take the money. 3. Invite the driver into your home to pick up the payment. Where one did not prepare the payment as described above, it is permitted to take the money out of a wallet before leaving home. When paying the driver, tell him to “keep the change.” Do not accept the change back from him. V. Accompanying a “Category A” patient to a medical facility

A patient in a possibly life-threatening or life-threatening situation should be accompanied by a family member or close friend to a medical facility for support and/or for advocacy unless the circumstances dictate otherwise. A woman in labor should be accompanied to a medical facility *(preferably by her husband) even if her labor coach will meet her there. One may do anything necessary to transport the labor coach to the medical facility. This includes calling her and/or having her drive herself to the medical facility. VI. Returning a woman with “false labor” from medical treatment

A woman who had “false labor” may be driven back after treatment only by a non-Jew. Her husband and/or companion may accompany her. No Jew may open or close the car door. The topic of traveling home after treatment on Shabbos for all other patients is beyond the scope of this guide. Please discuss this issue with a Rav. VII. Transporting a “Category B” patient to a medical facility

Only a non-Jew may drive a “Category B” patient to a medical facility. A family member or close friend should accompany this individual to the medical facility, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. If there are children in the household who require supervision and there is no one available to take care of them, a non-Jew may either drive the children to a caregiver or a caregiver to the children. Only a non-Jew may open and close the car door. (*Note: This is a suggestion, not a Halacha). Prudent individuals will review these Halachos before an emergency arises. Thanks to: Rabbi M. Heinemann, Rabbi Y. Hopfer, Rabbi D. Fohrman, Rabbi D. Heber, Dr. T. Blechman, Dr. Y. Jakobovits, Dr. H. Klein, Dr. B. Miller, Mrs. N. Finkelstein, Mr. M. Pasternak, Mr. E. Reidler and Mrs. S. Schachter for the preparation of this guide. © 1998-1B Nachman Schachter 410-764-2246, fax 410-764-1012. You may reprint only with permission. לזכרנשמתבן - ציוןחיים בןחיים שמואל (Finkelstein) פינחס בן מנחם מנדל (Schachter)