DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 5.86 MB)
Shabbat – Using Mouthwash, Eating Food for Medicinal Purposes

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 328:36) writes about a certain gum-like substance that people would chew as a remedy for dental problems, and he writes that it is forbidden to chew this substance on Shabbat. Since this is chewed as medicine, it violates the prohibition of Refu’a (healing) on Shabbat. However, the Shulhan Aruch adds, one is allowed to chew gum for the purposes of freshening his breath. Bad breath, the Shulhan Aruch writes, is not considered an "ailment" for purposes of Halacha, and so "curing" it is allowed on Shabbat.

Based on this ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that it is entirely permissible to use mouthwash or other breath-freshening substances on Shabbat. One is allowed to gargle mouthwash or spray his mouth to freshen his breath on Shabbat, as this does not constitute "Refu’a." By the same token, it would be permissible to apply non-medicated powder into one’s shoes, or onto one’s socks or feet, to eliminate the odor.

In the next passage (328:37), the Shulhan Aruch writes that any food which healthy people normally eat is allowed to be eaten for medicinal purposes on Shabbat. A classic modern-day example would be drinking tea with lemon and honey to alleviate a sore throat. Even if the patient drinks the tea solely as a remedy, to soothe his throat, it is nevertheless permissible, since tea is something which even healthy people drink. The same would apply to sucking a candy to alleviate pain in the throat.

Another example is drinking prune juice to cure constipation. Since prune juice is also commonly drunk by healthy people, and is not used only as a remedy, one may drink it as a laxative. Hacham Ovadia also mentions the example of eating vegetables as a remedy for heartburn, which is entirely permissible, since vegetables are also eaten by healthy people.

Summary: It is permissible to use mouthwash or other breath-freshening agents on Shabbat. Any food or drink which people normally eat or drink may be eaten or drunk for medicinal purposes on Shabbat. Thus, for example, it is permissible on Shabbat to drink tea to alleviate a sore throat or to drink prune juice to alleviate constipation.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Hanukah – One Who Cannot Afford Enough Oil for the Hanukah Candles
Hanukah – Eulogies, Fasting and Visiting Cemeteries During Hanukah
The Beracha Recited Before and After One Eats a Jelly Donut; Placing a Jelly Donut on a Hot Plate on Shabbat
Chanukah- Where Should the Menorah in the Synagogue be Positioned
Chanukah- Should One Continue To Light If He Missed Lighting The Night Before
The Custom to Eat Cheese on Hanukah; Reciting a Beracha When Eating Cheese on a Cracker
Chanukah- Guidelines Concerning Situations Where a Congregation Read the Wrong Selection from the Torah During Chanukah
Chanukah- Warming Fried Jelly Doughnuts on Shabbat & A Mourner's Participation in Chanukah Celebrations
Chanukah- In The Event You Forgot Sh’hecheyanu The First Night
Chanukah- Do We Repeat All 3 Berachot When Lighting In The Synagogue On The First Night of Chanukah?
Chanukah- When Is It Permissible To Recite Hallel
Mincha Erev Shabbat When The First Night of Chanukah Occurs on Friday Night
Chanukah- Should One Light When In A Place Full of Goyim Even If His Wife Lights In His Stead At Home
For How Long Must the Chanukah Candles Burn in the Synagogue?
Chanukah- Should One Still Recite She'hecheyanu If Lighting After A Person Lit In His Stead On The First Night
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found