One Who Has a Sore Throat on Shabbat

One Who Has a Sore Throat on Shabbat Day: Wednesday Date: May 20, 2015 Parshat: Bimidbar Hazon Ovadia: Shabbat 4, Pg. 356 Our Hachamim forbade doing anything on Shabbat to heal a person who falls under the category of Mihush Be'alma. Mihush Be'alma is a person who doesn't feel a hundred percent but is not bedridden or in any terrible pain. The reason is so that a person will not end up grinding herbs which is forbidden as part of the Melacha of Tohen - Grinding. (See DSH from November 28, 2014.) However, something which is done by healthy people may be done by a person with a Mihush Be'alma as well. For example, since honey is used by healthy people, a person with a sore throat may consume honey too even though he's only having it to heal his throat. There are some Poskim who do allow a person with a Mihush Be'alma to take aspirin or Tylenol and therefore one who is in a lot of pain, may do so. Of course, if there is any life threatening danger, everything possible must be done to save the person. The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org