Dirshu Mishnah Berurah

This episode explores the halachic limits of judicial and legal activity on Shabbos. We learn why courts do not judge cases, issue punishments, imprison offenders, or carry out penalties on Shabbos—rooted in concerns of writing, commerce, and preserving Shabbos as a day of rest even for the guilty. The discussion then turns to key exceptions, including urgent testimony (such as preventing a woman from remaining unable to remarry) and stopping someone from fleeing to cause permanent harm.The second half focuses on marriage-related restrictions: why engagements, weddings, levirate marriage, and related ceremonies are generally prohibited on Shabbos due to legal and financial consequences. Limited leniencies are examined for cases of great need—such as avoiding severe financial loss, fulfilling the mitzvah of having children, or preventing major embarrassment—especially around twilight before Shabbos. Practical concerns, including writing documents, financial obligations, and handling items like candles, round out the discussion.

This episode concludes the laws of managing rainwater leaking into the home on Shabbos, including when collected water may be moved and when creating an unpleasant situation is prohibited. We then begin a new section covering common Shabbos activities: riding animals, swimming in pools and ponds, and the classic debate over clapping, dancing, and rhythmic movements. The discussion explains the original concerns behind these restrictions, practical distinctions between permitted and prohibited cases, and why later authorities note widespread leniency today—especially in the context of mitzvah-related joy.

This episode explores classic Mishnah Berurah discussions on sound and activity on Shabbos. Topics include mechanical clocks and musical chimes set before Shabbos, alarm clocks and alarms going off on Shabbos, winding watches and stopping alarms, and the distinction between fixing an item versus normal use. We also cover children's toys, automatic and kinetic watches, clapping and making noise to scare animals, ball games and board games on Shabbos, concerns about weekday-like activities, and when communal custom is relied upon. The episode concludes with practical cases such as drawing water with wheels and protecting fruit from rain on Shabbos. Clear, practical guidance on where noise, play, and preparation cross Shabbos boundaries.

This episode explores the halachic background of playing music on Shabbos, focusing on the original rabbinic decree against music due to concern over repairing instruments. We examine a historical leniency that allowed asking a non-Jew to play (and even repair) instruments for the sake of bringing joy to a bride and groom, based on the concept of a double rabbinic prohibition for a mitzvah. The Mishnah Berurah surveys dissenting opinions, limits of that leniency, and contrasts weddings with other celebrations. The episode concludes with the clear ruling of later authorities that this practice has been fully discontinued, and that today there is no basis to permit instrumental music on Shabbos—even via non-Jews—reflecting the universally accepted custom.

This episode continues the Mishnah Berurah's discussion of sound production on Shabbos. We clarify the core rule: objects specifically designed to make sound are generally prohibited, even when the intent is not musical. Practical cases include door knockers, rings fixed to doors, bells, tuning forks, and similar sound-producing items. In contrast, making noise with one's body (knocking with a fist or knuckles, whistling) is permitted. The shiur explores key distinctions—designated purpose versus incidental sound, intent versus outcome—and major views regarding opening doors or curtains that cause bells to ring, including leniencies for mitzvah needs and cases of necessity. We conclude with practical synagogue scenarios, such as silencing a room by banging on a table with a non-designated object.

This episode completes the laws of floor maintenance on Shabbat and opens the topic of sound-making prohibitions. We review why spreading oil or scrubbing floors is restricted—even on paved surfaces—due to concerns of leveling ground and related actions. The discussion extends to placing heavy barrels on the ground, the risk of creating furrows, and why lifting rather than dragging is required.The episode then introduces the laws of making sounds on Shabbat: musical instruments and music-like sounds are prohibited, while non-musical sounds—such as knocking on a door—are generally permitted. Practical cases include clapping, noise-making to scare birds, soothing a child, dripping water for sound, and using noise to wake someone. The guiding principle is whether the sound is musical, pleasant, and instrument-like, or merely functional.

This episode continues the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbos, focusing on sweeping floors and household cleaning. We explore whether sweeping an unpaved floor is permitted, given the concern that it may level the ground and resemble forbidden labor. The discussion contrasts lenient and stringent views, explains why paved floors are treated differently, and examines concerns of inevitability versus intention.The episode also covers practical allowances, such as using soft materials (cloths, feathers, soft brushes), asking a non-Jew to sweep, and removing items that are considered repulsive. It concludes with an important related law: avoiding cleaning tools that may break during use, since damaging utensils on Shabbos is itself prohibited.

This episode opens Siman 337 and explores the laws of unintended consequences on Shabbat. Using ploughing as the model case, it explains when an action is permitted if a prohibited result is not intended—and when it becomes forbidden if that result is inevitable. Practical cases include dragging furniture across dirt or grass, watering dusty floors, and ploughing via animals. The key distinction is between a possible side-effect (permitted) and an unavoidable one (prohibited), with clear guidance for everyday Shabbat scenarios.

In this episode, we finish the siman discussing plants and trees on Shabbos, beginning with the laws of dried fruits still attached to dried or living branches. Even when fruit appears detached for tumah, halachically it is still considered attached for Shabbos regarding plucking. We review cases where plants take root in odd locations—like onions under collapsed debris—and when removing them creates biblical liability.The second half focuses on the rules of using trees: direct use is prohibited, but “side-of-the-side”—an object leaning on something attached to the tree—may be permitted. Practical examples include ladders, pegs, baskets, and hammocks. We clarify when leaning on a tree is allowed (healthy individuals) and when it is prohibited (someone weak who relies on the tree). Any situation that causes the tree to move is forbidden for everyone.

A practical overview of Hilchos Shabbos  regarding plants, blocked gutters, sinks, smelling fragrant plants, and handling flowers or branches in water. We explore when vegetation is considered attached, when one may clear blockages with a shinui, when smelling attached plants is permitted, and key rules about soaking grains, placing branches or flowers in water, and avoiding inadvertent “planting” or “sprouting.” Includes modern applications such as blocked sinks and vases of flowers in the home.

This episode covers Mishnah Berurah 336.4–8, focusing on outdoor activities on Shabbos—especially handling seeds, plants, and potted herbs. We review when scattering seeds for animals is permitted, concerns about accidental sowing, the status of plants growing from moisture on utensils, and the rules for inserting decorative plants into moist soil. We also discuss the halachos of pots with and without holes, moving potted plants, and avoiding inadvertent planting or uprooting.

In this episode, we continue the laws of using trees and their roots on Shabbos. We explain when roots and low branches are considered ground and therefore permitted to use, based on whether they rise above three handbreadths. We also cover complex cases such as uneven ground, roots that bend downward, and when appearance from different sides affects the ruling.Next, we review the permissibility of walking on grass—why it is generally allowed even when the grass is long—along with precautions when grass becomes detached. We also discuss why washing hands over grass is prohibited due to watering, while pouring certain liquids or urinating on grass is permitted because they do not promote growth. Finally, we note added restrictions when eating in large gardens due to carrying concerns.

A clear overview of the halachos of using trees on Shabbos: why Chazal prohibited climbing or using trees, whether the rules apply to live or dried trees, and what to do if someone accidentally finds themselves in a tree on Shabbos. Includes the Mishnah Berurah's parameters for hanging objects, leaning on trees, vegetation rules, reeds, rigid stalks, and the debate between major poskim on vegetation that resembles tree-like rigidity. Practical guidance on descending from a tree when climbed unintentionally or when climbed before Shabbos.

This episode reviews the laws of rescuing wine, liquids, or food when a barrel breaks on Shabbos. We examine when a person may place a single vessel to save as much as possible, and when using multiple vessels is restricted due to concerns of weekday-like behavior or accidental carrying.We clarify the differences between rescuing up to three meals' worth versus larger amounts, how invited guests affect permitted quantities, and why one cannot invite guests merely as a legal workaround. The episode also analyzes cases of dripping grape juice that is not yet considered usable liquid, the issue of making a vessel designated for prohibited material, and permissible workarounds to prevent loss.Finally, we address the rules for gathering scattered fruit on Shabbos—when it may be collected, how it must be eaten, and the limits created by concerns of weekday practice and selecting.

This episode concludes the discussion of Siman 334—the laws of extinguishing on Shabbos—focusing on when one may put out glowing metal or smoldering wood if it poses a danger to the public. We clarify when moving the hazard is preferable to extinguishing it, the halachic status of metal versus wood, and the principles of melachah she'einah tzerichah legufah that affect the rabbinic nature of extinguishing. The practical ruling: one may extinguish either wood or metal when there is danger to people.We then begin Siman 335, addressing the laws of a barrel that breaks on Shabbos. We review how much food or liquid may be saved (normally up to three meals' worth), when multiple vessels may be used, leniencies when carrying into a public domain is not a concern, and why soaking up spilled liquids with a sponge or one's hands is restricted. The episode concludes with the debate over saving liquids dripping from a cracked vessel and distinctions between moving items within courtyards with an eiruv versus without.

A practical and detailed overview of the halachic principles governing how to respond to a fire on Shabbos. This episode explains when one may hint to or request assistance from a non-Jew, the limits on protecting property, and how sudden loss changes the halachic framework. We also explore the Rema's ruling that in modern settings every fire involves possible danger to life—making extinguishing it not only permitted but praiseworthy. The shiur reviews distinctions between property protection and life-saving action, obligations to prevent danger, and the Mishnah Berurah's discussion of repentance, fasting, and monetary substitution for transgressions.

A clear, practical overview of indirect fire prevention on Shabbos in the Mishnah Berurah. This episode clarifies when one may prevent a fire's spread through indirect actions, such as placing wet materials, vessels of water, or protective barriers near a blaze. We examine extinguishing when clothing catches fire, using plates to block flames, concerns of laundry when wetting garments, and distinctions between acceptable indirect causation vs. direct extinguishing.Additionally discussed: when a non-Jew may extinguish a fire on Shabbos for a Jew, why a child must be stopped, and how intention affects halachic status. Essential guidance for applying the laws of Shabbos during fire-related emergencies, property loss, or safety concerns.

This episode continues our study of Mishnah Berurah 334, focusing on the laws of saving items from a fire on Shabbos. We examine when one may rescue tefillin stored together with money, distinctions between private and unenclosed domains, and the leniency of placing a loaf of bread or a child with valuables to permit carrying them to safety. We also explore the permissibility of asking a non-Jew to save sacred writings, the status of detached book margins, and the prohibition against rescuing writings produced by idolaters. Additional discussion includes coins bearing divine names and improper customs involving storing mundane objects in the holy ark. This installment clarifies practical halachic guidelines for protecting sacred items while maintaining Shabbos restrictions.

In this episode, we continue exploring the laws of saving property from fire on Shabbos, focusing on Megillas Esther and amulets. We discuss whether Megillas Esther—unique among the biblical books for not containing the Divine Name—has the sanctity required to be rescued from a fire, and what conditions (such as proper script, parchment, or ink) determine its status.We also examine differing opinions on saving amulets that contain holy text, including cases involving illness and potential danger to life. The episode concludes with guidance on saving Torah scroll cases, tefillin cases, and other holy book coverings—even when they contain money—without needing to remove the contents during an emergency.

In this episode, we continue exploring the halachic laws of saving property from a house fire on Shabbos. We examine what may be moved, where it may be moved, and how distress can lead to prohibited actions such as extinguishing or carrying. We clarify the differences between transferring food, utensils, and clothing; the role of a courtyard with or without an eruv; and how wearing garments differs from carrying them.We also review opinions about moving belongings into one's own yard versus a neighbor's property, and when leniencies apply due to the rabbinic nature of these restrictions. Finally, we turn to the laws of saving holy writings, including which texts qualify, how modern writing practices affect their status, and when damaged or partial texts must be rescued or buried.

This episode continues the halachos in Siman 334 on what may be rescued from a fire on Shabbos. We clarify how much food may be saved, the rules for Shabbos when it borders Yom Kippur or Yom Tov, and why certain days permit saving more than others. The discussion explains when one may save food for after Yom Kippur, when raw materials may be taken, and the distinctions between saving on Shabbos versus other holy days.We then cover the limits on carrying containers, how combining items affects what is permitted, and why a person may make multiple trips when wearing clothing but not when carrying food.Finally, we examine when neighbors may help, how declaring items ownerless works, and under which conditions helpers may be compensated after Shabbos.

This episode explores the Mishnah Berurah's guidance on saving property when a fire breaks out on Shabbos. We review when muktzeh may be moved to prevent major loss, distinctions between private courtyards and the public domain, and differing opinions on handling money or valuables during emergencies. The shiur compares cases of fire, theft, and rain damage, clarifies when leniencies apply only to neighbors versus those directly endangered, and explains parallels to carrying small distances before nightfall. We also cover conditions for asking a non-Jew to assist, exceptional cases of communal danger, and practical rules for saving food—including how many meals each household member may rescue and when better-quality food may be taken.

This episode continues the laws of clearing a storehouse on Shabbos when preparing for guests, emphasizing limits on how much may be moved, avoiding excessive trips, and ensuring each person assists so the activity does not resemble weekday labor. We then review the rules for unloading items such as wine barrels from a wagon, when this is allowed for Shabbos needs, and when it is prohibited as weekday-like exertion.The discussion moves into MB 334.1, the halachos of a fire on Shabbos: what may be saved, how many meals worth of food may be taken depending on the time of day, distinctions between the homeowner and neighbors, and the concern that panic may lead to extinguishing the fire. Contemporary rulings about life-risk among the general population and the resulting leniencies are included, along with the limits on saving property and money.

This episode continues the discussion of the laws of caring for animals on Shabbos, focusing on when healing practices are permitted. We review the distinctions between relieving an animal's pain versus providing mere pleasure, when one may induce exertion for therapeutic purposes, and when a non-Jew may be asked to assist in medical procedures such as cooling or bloodletting.We also introduce the laws of clearing out a storehouse on Shabbos. Items may be removed for genuine mitzvah needs—such as preparing space for guests or for learning—but not for ordinary weekday purposes. The episode clarifies limits on exertion, concerns about leveling the ground, and how many containers may be moved depending on the situation. The discussion concludes with the definition of “guests” for mitzvah purposes and how this affects what is permitted.

This episode covers the halachic details of performing circumcision on Shabbat, focusing on how to protect the infant after the procedure, what types of coverings may be used, and how to transport necessary materials within halachic limits. We review when hot-water washing is permitted, both before and after the circumcision, and how changing medical norms impact current practice. The discussion includes when one may rely on a non-Jew for assistance, how to handle concerns of squeezing or washing cloths on Shabbat, and the status of the infant regarding potential danger.We also examine the rules for a mohel performing the procedure on Shabbat—especially if it is his first time—along with the division of the circumcision steps among multiple practitioners. The episode concludes with the opening of Siman 332 regarding assisting an animal in birth on Shabbat and the limits of permissible involvement.

This episode continues the study of the laws of Shabbos as they relate to performing a circumcision on the eighth day when it falls on Shabbos. The discussion covers which preparations must be done before Shabbos and which may not be performed on Shabbos itself. The episode reviews the rules for transporting the knife, when one may ask a non-Jew to assist with rabbinic prohibitions, and the status of the knife as muktzeh after the procedure. Practical guidance is provided on avoiding unnecessary carrying, safeguarding the knife, and prioritizing where the baby or knife should be brought.

In this episode, we explore the detailed halachic principles surrounding the performance of Bris Milah (circumcision) on Shabbat. We discuss the sequence of procedures—cutting, folding back, and blood removal—along with permissible healing practices, and how these are integrated into Shabbat observance. Key topics include the handling of remaining skin strands, performing Bris on children born prematurely, and the parameters for children born during twilight or via Cesarean section. Medical, historical, and rabbinic perspectives are considered to clarify when and how the mitzvah may be performed while balancing Shabbat restrictions.

In this episode, we conclude Siman Shin Lamed, exploring the halachos of childbirth on Shabbos. The discussion reviews the historical distinction between seventh- and eighth-month births and how modern medical advances have changed their halachic implications. The Mishnah Berurah and related commentaries guide us through practical rulings: handling a newborn, expressing milk for a mother's relief, straightening an infant's limbs, and swaddling. We also examine cases of spinal and joint realignment, dental retainers, and the repositioning of a newborn's epiglottis — clarifying what is permitted on Shabbos for the wellbeing of mother and child.

This episode continues the study of the laws of childbirth on Shabbos, focusing on how far we may go to assist a woman after delivery and care for the newborn. Based on Mishnah Berurah 330:6–7, the discussion covers heating and comfort for the mother during the 30 days after birth, distinctions between actions permitted for danger versus discomfort, and how modern medical understanding affects these halachic rulings. It also explores the permissibility of actions like cutting the umbilical cord, washing, salting, and caring for the newborn—even when these involve potential Shabbos transgressions. The episode concludes with the halachic treatment of premature infants and how advances in neonatal care redefine viability today.

Detailed study of Mishnah Berurah 330:4–5 on the halachos of a woman in childbirth and Shabbos desecration. Learn when childbirth is deemed life-threatening, how long leniencies extend post-birth, and how halacha balances pikuach nefesh with Shabbos observance. Includes analysis of counting days, medical input, and emergency scenarios.

In this episode, we begin Siman 330 of the Mishnah Berurah, exploring the halachos of childbirth on Shabbos. A woman in labor is considered to be in life-threatening danger (choleh sheyesh bo sakana), permitting Shabbos desecration to ensure her safety. We examine what actions are allowed for her, her helpers, and medical staff—including lighting candles, calling a midwife from afar, and making changes (shinui) when possible. The shiur discusses the balance between speed and modification, when urgency overrides the need for a shinui, and the reasoning behind lighting candles even for a blind woman for her peace of mind.We also delve into the halachic parameters for assisting non-Jewish women in childbirth on Shabbos—when concern for animosity (eivah) may permit limited assistance, and how modern-day poskim apply this to Jewish doctors treating non-Jewish patients. Finally, we define when a woman attains the halachic status of a yoledes—at the onset of labor, when her waters break, or when she can no longer walk unaided—triggering the full leniencies of pikuach nefesh on Shabbos.

In this episode, we continue exploring Hilchos Pikuach Nefesh—the laws of saving life on Shabbos—from Siman 329:4–9. The discussion covers halachic rulings on rescuing someone trapped under rubble, determining signs of life, and applying modern medical realities to these laws. We then examine when Shabbos may be desecrated to protect against hostile attacks—whether defending lives, property, or border towns—and how these principles adapt to contemporary threats. The episode concludes with guidance on risking one's own safety to save others and the halachic permission to return with weapons after a defensive mission on Shabbos.Topic: Pikuach Nefesh – Saving lives on ShabbosSiman/Seif: MB 329.4–329.9Halachic Themes:Rescuing people trapped under debrisDetermining life or death by breathing and heartbeatModern medical intervention and Shabbos desecrationDefense of Jewish towns and property on ShabbosDifferentiating between threats to life vs. propertyAssessing personal risk when saving othersReturning with weapons after life-saving missions

This episode opens a new discussion in Siman 329 of the Mishnah Berurah, focusing on the laws of saving life on Shabbos. The shiur explores how the principle of pikuach nefesh—preserving life—overrides Shabbos prohibitions, including cases like extinguishing a fire or rescuing individuals from danger. The Mishnah Berurah analyzes when it is preferable to extinguish a fire versus carrying people to safety, weighing Torah-level versus rabbinic prohibitions and practical modern concerns such as urban housing and fire spread.The discussion continues with classic halachic principles applied to doubtful life-threatening situations (safek pikuach nefesh): when a group includes both Jews and non-Jews, when rubble collapses and it's uncertain who is trapped, and when or if one may violate Shabbos to save. The episode also examines complex cases of moral status—such as saving a willful transgressor or a pursuer (rodef)—and when saving them is halachically prohibited.A thought-provoking and text-based journey through Mishnah Berurah 329:1–3, highlighting practical, ethical, and halachic reasoning in real-life emergencies on Shabbos.

In this episode, we conclude the Mishnah Berurah's discussion of the halachos of healing and medical treatment on Shabbos. The focus is on the prohibitions of tzove'a (dyeing), chovel (causing a wound), and related issues such as dressing wounds, extracting blood, and administering enemas. We explore when these actions are biblically or rabbinically prohibited, distinctions between intentional and inevitable outcomes, and when leniencies apply for the sick or in cases of indirect action. Also discussed: the difference between dyeing with blood versus dyeing with colorants, washing wounds, and the halachic principles governing modern parallels such as blood tests and medical procedures performed by non-Jews on Shabbos.

In this episode, we continue exploring Hilchos Shabbos focusing on the intersection between bathing, therapeutic practices, and healing. The discussion covers when one may bathe in mineral or saline waters on Shabbos, the distinction between ordinary bathing and healing immersion, and how intention affects permissibility. We review the halachos of bathing in natural springs, saline or murky waters, and the use of mud baths for health purposes.Additional topics include:Cooling oneself versus therapeutic bathingThe permissibility of charming snakes or scorpions to prevent harmApplying cold compresses or ice for swelling on ShabbosAdjusting or setting a dislocated bone and the limits of medical interventionThis shiur delves into practical and nuanced applications of refuah (healing) on Shabbos, balancing halachic prohibitions with human comfort and safety.

In this episode, we continue exploring the halachos of medicine and healing on Shabbos. The discussion examines when taking or performing medical treatments is considered prohibited due to refuah (healing) and the concern of grinding herbs—a biblical melachah. We review cases including swallowing raw eggs for the voice, inducing vomiting, using hot cups or compresses for stomach pain, anointing with oil and salt after drinking, and exercising or massaging for health. The Mishnah Berurah clarifies distinctions between actions of comfort and acts of healing, highlighting when non-medicinal practices are permitted, and when they fall under the rabbinic decree. Practical guidance includes the permissibility of using hot water bottles, light self-care, and avoiding vigorous or medicinally motivated actions on Shabbos.Keywords: Shabbos medicine laws, refuah on Shabbos, hot water bottle on Shabbos, exercise and massage on Shabbos, inducing vomiting halacha, healing prohibitions, Chazal's gezeira on refuah

This episode explores the halachic discussions in Mishnah Berurah on health and medication on Shabbos. Topics include expressing milk for infants, distinctions between medical and non-medical uses of substances, oral hygiene practices, eating foods with healing properties, the permissibility of vitamins, and the use of sleeping tablets. The shiur clarifies when food and medicine may be taken by healthy individuals versus those experiencing discomfort or illness, and how rabbinic prohibitions interact with real pain or need.

This episode continues the discussion of the halachos of healing on Shabbos. Topics include when wine may be used to stop bleeding, distinctions between ordinary wounds and those considered life-threatening, and the use of vinegar, schnapps, or brandy. We explore the halachos of dislocated joints, removing hanging nails or skin, and the connection to melachos such as shearing. The shiur also covers toothaches, sore throats, and the use of vinegar or oil, including when non-Jews may assist. Finally, we examine the unique case of one in pain suckling milk directly from an animal, and the halachos of expressing milk for a child or to relieve pain.

In this episode, we explore the halachos of applying and reapplying bandages with medicinal creams on Shabbos, including when they may be replaced if they fall, the role of a non-Jew in assisting with medical care, and the distinctions between biblical and rabbinic prohibitions. We also discuss handling boils, extracting pus versus blood, and related concerns of causing wounds. Practical guidance is given on wound dressings, avoiding permanent knots, changing soiled cloths for dignity and health, and preparing before Shabbos to minimize issues.

This episode explores the halachos of caring for the sick on Shabbos when life is not at risk. We discuss when food may be cooked by a non-Jew and the implications of bishul akum, the status of utensils used in such cooking, and distinctions for what remains after Shabbos. We then shift to the broader rabbinic decrees against healing practices on Shabbos, such as applying wine, spit, or medicinal lotions to the eyes, dressing wounds with oil, water, cloths, or leaves, and when these actions are permitted or restricted. Practical applications, distinctions between healing and general comfort, and the role of preparation before Shabbos are all clarified.

This episode examines the halachos of treating a sick person on Shabbos when there is no life-threatening danger. We explore distinctions between general illness, limb-threatening conditions, and minor ailments. The discussion covers what a Jew may do, what requires a shinui (change in the normal manner of doing the action), and when one must rely on a non-Jew. The Mishnah Berurah clarifies how far rabbinic prohibitions may be set aside, the status of aiding a non-Jew's action, and practical applications such as preparing food for a sick person or child. The normative halacha follows the view that rabbinic prohibitions may be done with a shinui when no limb is in danger, and without change if a limb is endangered.

This episode explores the halachos of caring for the dangerously ill on Shabbos. We learn why it is not only permitted but praiseworthy to act with urgency to save a life, even if unintended melachos are performed. Practical cases include rescuing children in danger, breaking doors, and feeding the sick when kosher food is unavailable. The Mishnah Berurah clarifies whether slaughtering an animal or giving non-kosher food is preferable, and how a patient's refusal to eat can affect halachic decisions. We also examine cooking wine with the help of a non-Jew, the principle of minimizing melacha (such as choosing the smaller cluster of figs), and why extra work beyond what is required should be avoided.ShabbosHilchos ShabbosPikuach NefeshDangerously Ill on ShabbosSaving a LifeMishnah BerurahShulchan AruchRefuah on ShabbosNon-Kosher Food for the SickShabbos and MedicineUrgency in Saving Lives

This episode continues our study of the Mishnah Berurah on the laws of healing on Shabbos. We explore bloodletting, blood clots, and their connection to modern blood pressure, when treatment is life-threatening versus when it can wait. The halachic status of eye conditions is examined, showing why eye disease is treated more seriously than other ailments. We discuss external wounds, the role of doctors versus the patient's own testimony, and principles of pikuach nefesh — prioritizing life even in cases of doubt. Guidance is given on whether treatments should be performed by Jews, non-Jews, or with a shinui, and the balance between urgency and minimizing melachah. The episode concludes with practical insights from contemporary poskim about medicine and emergency care on Shabbos.Shabbos, Shabbat, Mishnah Berurah, halacha, pikuach nefesh, healing, medicine, bloodletting, blood pressure, blood clots, eye conditions, external wounds, Jewish law, emergency care, doctors on Shabbos, patient testimony, shinui, life-saving, antibiotics, hilchos Shabbos, Orthodox Judaism

In this episode, we continue our series on the halachos of Shabbos and medical emergencies, focusing on pikuach nefesh (life-threatening danger). We explore:When it is obligatory to desecrate Shabbos to save or treat a sick person.The difference between internal wounds, external injuries, and fevers, and how halacha views each.Cases of doubt—why even uncertain danger requires immediate action.The role of a doctor's judgment, the patient's own assessment, and when a non-Jew should be asked to perform melacha.The fundamental debate: is Shabbos completely set aside (hutra) in danger to life, or only temporarily suspended (dechuya)?Drawing on the Shulchan Aruch, Mishnah Berurah, and later authorities, we clarify how to act responsibly and decisively in urgent medical situations on Shabbos.If you haven't already, please subscribe so you won't miss the next shiur in this series.

This episode explores the halachic principles surrounding medical treatment on Shabbos, with a focus on internal wounds and toothaches. We examine when pain and illness justify Shabbos desecration, how conditions once deemed life-threatening are approached in light of modern medicine, and whether tooth extractions can be permitted today. Sources from the Shulchan Aruch, Rema, Mishnah Berurah, and later authorities are discussed, highlighting distinctions between minor discomfort, severe pain, and potentially dangerous conditions. Practical guidance emphasizes consulting rabbinic authority for individual cases.

This episode explores the halachic principles surrounding medical care on Shabbos. We discuss the rabbinic decree against taking medicine, the distinction between minor discomfort, more serious illness, and life-threatening danger, and the practical guidelines for when treatment—whether self-administered, assisted by a non-Jew, or even involving melacha—is permitted. We also examine why preserving life is not only allowed but a mitzvah, and why hesitation can be dangerous.Podcast NotesBackground of the decree on medicine and grinding herbsCategories of illness: minor, significant, and life-threateningRole of non-Jews in providing medical helpWhen Shabbos prohibitions may be set aside for healingWhy preservation of life overrides all hesitation

We conclude our journey through the laws of cooking on Shabbos with the final section on Hilchos Shabbos. This episode explores practical scenarios: smearing oil or garlic on hot roasts, using utensils after cooking, handling fats that melt, and the responsibilities of those who contribute to the cooking process. We also discuss the use of kettles, secondary utensils, and the line between permitted and prohibited actions on Shabbos.

In this episode, we continue exploring the laws of cooking on Shabbat, focusing on when it is prohibited to place cold food on a hot kettle, how heat levels affect cooking, and the distinctions between cooked and uncooked foods. We also examine the rules around stirring hot food and why even small actions, like inserting a spoon, can accelerate cooking. The discussion compares food preparation with dyeing wool, highlighting how both processes are impacted by stirring.

In this episode, we explore the halachic principles behind reheating foods that contain congealed fat on Shabbos. We discuss two key issues: whether melting fat counts as “cooking after cooking” for liquids, and whether the change of state raises a concern of nolad (something newly created on Shabbos). Drawing on classic sources, we compare cases like reheating a pastry with fat, melting ice in a drink, and fat dissolving into sauces. We also clarify practical differences between dry and liquid foods, the role of temperature thresholds, and when leniencies apply in cases of need.

In this episode, we continue exploring the halachot of cooking on Shabbat, focusing on the distinctions between primary and secondary vessels, reheating food, and placing containers into hot water. We examine practical applications such as warming a baby's bottle, reheating liquids, and the conditions under which food may be placed near a fire or on a hot plate. The discussion covers opinions on ladles as vessels, the halachic definitions of cooking temperatures, and the permissibility of reheating fully cooked dry foods versus liquids. We also explore how these principles inform common Shabbat practices, including the widespread use of electric hot plates.

In this episode, we continue exploring the laws of cooking on Shabbat, focusing on the halachic status of hot baths, transferring water between vessels, and mixing hot and cold water. We examine distinctions between primary and secondary vessels, when adding cold water is permitted, and the implications of pouring flows. Practical cases are discussed, including handling kettles, mixing large amounts of cold water with hot, and avoiding accidental cooking with hot foods placed on cold items.