It is well known that Pikuach Nefesh overrides all Torah prohibitions, excluding the three cardinal sins (Aveiros Chamuros): idolatry, adultery, and murder. When faced with any of these three sins, one must “forfeit his...
Purim is approaching along with its Mitzva of “Chayav Inish liVsumei…Ad d’Lo Yada”. We will discuss a relatively uncommon Halacha, namely, the prohibition of giving a Halachic ruling while drunk or even mildly...
Vayishlach 5780 “They journeyed from Beis El and there was still a stretch of land to go to Efrat, when Rachel went into labor and had difficulty in her childbirth. And it was when she had difficulty in her labor that...
According to the United States National Diabetes Statistics Report (2020)[1], in 2018 there were 26.9 million people of all ages (8.2% of the US population) with a diagnosis of diabetes, including 210,000 children and...
Although the Gemara and Rishonim rule unambiguously that one may only violate Shabbos for the Pikuach Nefesh of a Yisrael, not for a Nachri, the Chasam Sofer’s ruling on this matter is well known (Shu”t 2:131): if there...
Most intravenous infusions come as ready-to-administer liquids, but some medications are unstable in liquid form and must be diluted immediately before use. The medication comes as a powder and is prepared for use...
While all Torah prohibitions are set aside for Pikuach Nefesh, including Chillul Shabbos, this is not the case for a Choleh sheEin Bo Sakana (a person whose life will not be endangered if he does not receive treatment)...
Among the theological paradoxes of our faith is that while it is elemental that anything that befalls a person is decreed in Heaven, a person is nevertheless obligated to actively guard his health (as we have discussed...
Fasting Pills on Shabbos Erev Tisha b’Av [We are interrupting the discussion of Mumin and Kohanim as this essay is particularly relevant this week. We will return to that topic next week.] There is a growing...
Measuring is one of the Issurim d’Rabbanan that Chazal forbade on Shabbos. The Rishonim are divided as to how to define this Issur. According to most opinions, it is considered “Uvdin d’Chol” – an activity...
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Hillel Kovacs
Rabbi Yosef Sprung