DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

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

      
(File size: 2.54 MB)
Accompanying a Woman in Labor to the Hospital on Shabbat

If a woman goes into labor on Shabbat and must be taken to the hospital, may her husband and mother join her?

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 330:1) writes that a woman in labor has the status of a "Holeh She’yesh Bo Sakana" – an ill patient in a condition of potential risk to life. As such, the Shabbat prohibitions are waived for anything that is necessary to help her, which includes anything necessary to keep her calm and relaxed. Halacha permits turning on the lights for a woman in labor on Shabbat even if she is blind, and will not directly benefit form the light, if she will be comforted knowing that the room is illuminated. This demonstrates Halacha’s understanding of, and sensitivity to, the emotional wellbeing of a seriously ill patient, and its recognition of the importance of keeping the patient at ease.

Certainly, then, anyone whom the woman wishes to accompany her to the hospital for her comfort and peace of mind may do so.

Preferably, a non-Jew should drive, because then no Torah violation is involved, as asking a non-Jew to perform a Melacha on Shabbat is forbidden only by force of Rabbinic enactment. This is permissible on Shabbat even for an ill patient whose condition is not potentially life-threatening. In the case of a woman in labor, even Torah prohibitions may be violated if necessary, but if it is possible to hire a non-Jewish driver, this would be preferable.

Summary: If a woman goes into labor on Shabbat and must be taken to the hospital, anyone whom she wishes to have with her for her comfort and peace of mind is permitted to accompany her. If possible, a non-Jewish driver should be hired.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Taking Hot Showers on Shabbat or Yom Tob
Is It Permissible To Light Memorial Candles From An Existing Flame on Yom Tob?
Must One Prepare an Eruv Tavshilin if He Does Not Intend to Cook on Yom Tov for Shabbat?
Which Cooked Foods May be Used for the Eruv Tavshilin?
Lighting a Flame on Yom Tob
Carrying on Yom Tob
Can a Visitor from Israel be Called to the Torah on Yom Tob?
Yom Tob-Borer (Selecting) on Yom Tob
The Proper Beracha for Aliyat Maftir on Shabbat Hol Hamoed
Borer on Yom Tob
Halachot of Baking on Yom Tob
The Tefilot of An Israeli On The Second Day Of Yom Tov When Visiting Outside of Israel
How Many Days of Yom Tob Does A Student or Someone Observe in Israel if He is Unsure Whether He is Staying There Permanently?
The Laws of Candle Lighting When Yom Tov Occurs on Shabbat and Sunday
Habdala and “Va’todi’enu” When Yom Tob Falls on Mosa’eh Shabbat
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found