Non-Kosher Medication

Question: I have just been prescribed a new pill for my asthma. It comes in a capsule made from gelatine. Is that a problem?

Answer: While gelatine, unless certified as kosher, comes from non-kosher animals (or animals not shechted) there is a machlokes as to whether it is kosher or not.

R’ Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (Achiezer 2:11; 3:33:5), R’ Yechezkel Abramsky (brought in intro to Tzitz Eliezer 4), R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 6:16; 10:25:20:2) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer 8:YD 11) all write that one may eat gelatine even from a non-kosher source (See Shearim Metzuyanim Behalacha 47:5).

However, R’ Aharon Kotler (Mishnas R’ Aharon 1:16), the Chazon Ish (YD 12:7), R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:52; 3:147; 5:5), and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:381) all write that one can only eat gelatine from a kosher source.

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe YD 1:37, 2:23, 2:27, 2:32) writes that because of the doubt, one should not be lenient and eat only kosher sourced gelatine (See Har Zvi YD 83).

R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet Halevi 7:135) writes that one may be lenient, however, for a choleh she'ain bo sakanah (one confined to bed as a result of their illness - See Shulchan Aruch and Rema OC 328:17). R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo 1:17; Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 40:n169) writes that swallowing medicine pills is not considered eating. Thus, one with a serious condition such as asthma may take such medication. One suffering from a headache, etc. (mechush) should make the effort to find an alternative that doesn’t contain any non-kosher ingredients (Rema YD 155:3).

Women and Havdala

Question: I have heard conflicting things about women saying havdala. As a single woman, what should I do?

Answer: The Rema (OC 296:8) writes that as the Shulchan Aruch brings two opinions as to whether women are obligated to say havdala or not, they should not recite it themselves, but should listen to a man saying it instead. The Mishna Berura (296:34) explains that women are obviously obligated to keep all laws of Shabbos. The difference of opinion lies in whether havdala is treated as a part of Shabbos, or as a regular time-bound mitzva (such as tefillin which women are exempt from). The Taz (OC 296:7) points out, however, that women must say hamavdil bein kodesh lechol before doing any melacha.

The Biur Halacha writes that women may make havdala, though should omit the beracha of meoiray haeish on the candle. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 296:5), R’ Moshe Feinstein (CM 2:47) and R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:273; 6:172), however, write that women may say this beracha, too, in the same way as they would on shaking a lulav if they wish to do so. Likewise, R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 14:43) criticizes the calendars that advise women against making the beracha on candles.

One reason why women avoid making havdala is because the Shelah (quoted by the Magen Avraham OC 296:4) writes that women shouldn’t drink the havdala wine (for Kabbalistic reasons). The Aruch Hashulchan points out that not everyone keeps this custom, and it’s more important to properly fulfill havdala.

In conclusion, you should say havdala complete with all the berachos.

Staying up all Night

Question: If I stay up all night learning on Shavuos, what should I do about birchos hatorah?

Answer: The Magen Avraham (494:1) quotes the midrash that relates how the bnei Yisrael slept in on the morning of kabbalas hatorah and had to be woken up. To rectify this, we stay up each Shavuos night, learning Torah, preparing ourselves to receive the Torah anew.

The Mishna Berura (47:28) addresses the issue of whether one who has not slept may recite birchos hatorah. Given the machlokes on this matter, one should either listen to someone else (who has slept) recite the berachos or have the intention to fulfil the beracha while saying ahava rabba, and then learn immediately after shacharis. R' Akiva Eiger maintained that one who had slept in bed during the day for at least half an hour is considered to have slept and may recite all the berachos as usual.

Many Sefardim follow the rulings of the Kaf Hachaim (OC 46:49) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 5:6; Yechave Daas 3:33) and recite the berachos regardless.

Regarding the beracha of al netilas yadayim, the Mishna Berura (4:30) writes that due to the machlokes (Rema OC 4:13; Aruch Hashulchan OC 4:12), one should wash their hands after excusing oneself just before shacharis and recite the beracha then.

Rather than recite the beracha on his own tzitzis, one should listen to another who is saying it or borrow a tallis and recite the beracha on that (Mishna Berura 8:42; Rivevos Ephraim 8:500:18).

As the berachos of Elokai neshama and hama'avir sheina both refer to waking up, one should ideally listen to someone else who had slept recite them. Failing that, the Mishna Berura (47:30) advises that one should say these berachos without Hashem’s name. R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 8:500:14) notes that Sefardim may say these berachos regardless.

For the other birchos hashachar, the Mishna Berura (46:22) writes that one should say them all oneself, as they are all berachos praising Hashem and not dependent on personal circumstances.

In conclusion, Sefardim may recite all of the Berachos, while Ashkenazim should listen to the birchos hatorah being recited by others unless they have slept for at least half an hour since the previous morning.

Beracha on Medication

Question: Do I need to say a beracha on medicine? What about if I need a drink in order to swallow a pill?

Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 38a) writes that one only recites a beracha on food that one eats for medical reasons if they will enjoy eating it. Likewise, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 204:7) writes that one only says a beracha before (and after) drinking water if they are doing so to quench their thirst. Thus, the Mishna Berura (204:42) writes that if one drank some water just to enable them to swallow a pill, they should not recite a beracha. However, if one drinks any other beverage, one would be required to recite a beracha.

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 1:82) writes that if the medication itself tastes nice, then one should recite a beracha. Likewise, R’ Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (quoted in Rivevos Ephraim 4:54:39) maintained that if one mixed the medicine into something that tastes good, one would need to recite a beracha on it.

There is a machlokes as to whether one recites a beracha upon taking medicine that has flavouring added to make it taste sweet. According to R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 40:n231) one does not recite a beracha as the main ingredient is bitter, though R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yalkut Yosef OC 204:10:n10) held that one should recite a beracha (See Nishmat Avraham OC 204:1). Similarly, R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (quoted by R’ Avraham Avraham) held that one should recite a beracha on pills that are coated with sweeteners.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 230:4) writes that one about to undergo a medical procedure should recite: יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹקַי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לִי עֵסֶק זֶה לִרְפוּאָה כִּי רוֹפֵא חִנָּם אַתָּה, “May it be your will, Hashem, that this procedure should cure me, for You are a Doctor who does not charge,” and afterwards, בָּרוּךְ רוֹפֵא חוֹלִים, “Blessed is the One who heals the ill” (See Mishna Berura 230:6). R’ Avraham Avraham (ibid. 204:5; 230:1) quotes R’ Eliezer Waldenberg who says that one should say these tefillos before and after taking medication. This would serve in place of reciting a beracha, thus satisfying both views.

In conclusion, when the medicine tastes good (such as throat lozenges) one must say a beracha before taking. This would apply to a drink other than water that one takes to swallow pills. Before taking other medication, one should recite the yehi ratzon instead.

Time Switches on Shabbos

Question: I leave my hotplate on a (manual) time-switch on Shabbos. Can I adjust it on Shabbos if I want it to come on or go off earlier or later?

Answer: Rambam (Shabbos 3:1) and the Shulchan Aruch (OC 252:1) write that one can begin a melacha on Friday even though the action will continue running into Shabbos. Thus, R’ Yaakov Breisch (Chelkas Yaakov OC 71), R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo 1:13), R' Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 1:20:9), R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 13:26) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 3:17) write that one may set timers before Shabbos.

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:60), however, disagrees, writing that one may only use timers for one’s lights. Firstly, timers are akin to instructing a non-Jew to perform a melacha on one’s behalf which is prohibited. While the Gemara does allow certain actions to be set up beforehand to run on Shabbos, that only applies when the action process began before Shabbos. Additionally, it undermines the sanctity of Shabbos and had such technology at the time of chazal, they would have prohibited its use. As people always had non-Jews come into their houses to light and extinguish their lights, lights remains an exception (See Rema OC 276:2).

R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 4:91:5; YD 3:47:4), R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 2:110; 3:37), R’ Binyamin Zilber (Az Nidberu 3:25; 4:46:7) and R' Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 1:20:9) hold that timers are muktza and must therefore not be adjusted on Shabbos.

R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, R’ Yehoshua Neuwirth (Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 13:28) and R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 3:18:2) hold that timers aren’t muktza, however. Thus, while one isn’t allowed to adjust the timer to switch on or off earlier than planned, one may adjust the timer to prevent or delay the timer from switching the appliance off by pulling pins out (Minchas Shlomo 1:13). Likewise, one may adjust the timer to prevent or delay an appliance that is off from coming on.

In conclusion, one may adjust a manual timer on Shabbos if necessary, but only to extend the current on or off status.

Tovelling Presents

Question: A friend just gave me a glass dish filled with sweets as a gift. Who was supposed to tovel it, me or her?

Answer: R’ Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo 2:66:20) held that one shouldn’t tovel a gift before giving it as they may want to return it. If they do, it wouldn’t yet be considered something used for food, and therefore doesn’t require tevila.

Likewise, R’ Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:44; 7:43:2; 8:70) and R’ Moshe Sternbuch (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:452) write that one selling dishes shouldn’t tovel them before selling them as until they have been bought, they serve as merchandise, rather than eating utensils. If one bought a dish that the shopkeeper had tovelled, they would still need to tovel it again (See Tevilas Kelim 8:6).

R’ Asher Weiss (Minchas Asher, Matos 68:4) writes that if one tovelled a gift before giving it, it would not need tovelling again, Nonetheless, one shouldn’t do so, unless one is tovelling other things that require a beracha. Certainly, if one believed that the recipient won’t tovel it, one should do so before giving it.

This, however, only seems to apply to a dish that doesn’t contain food. If one was filling the dish with food, then R’ Asher Weiss (tvunah.org) argues one would certainly have to tovel the dish first. If the sweets were wrapped and so didn’t touch the dish, one may leave the tovelling to the recipient (See Aruch Hashulchan YD 120:32). If there were biscuits on a tray, however, one would still need to tovel the dish, even if one placed a serviette underneath them.