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is no longer fit for consumption, and the “usual” way to benefit from for such a distant concern we do not permit violating even Rabbinic
it is now something else. For example, as soon as one mixes chametz prohibitions.
with theriac, then the “usual” way to benefit from the mixture is by What is considered a “slight possibility of danger?”
swallowing it as medication. Therefore, it becomes forbidden to take The Mishkenos Yaakov (Vol. 1 Yoreh De’ah #17, regarding the pos-
this medication. According to this, even an external ointment made sibility of a blemish in the lung of a slaughtered animal rending it
from chametz is prohibited for use on Pesach, because healing with it treifah) writes that 10% is considered a significant minority. In other
is considered the usual way of benefitting from it. words, if among 100 animals ten are found to be treif, this is a signifi-
However, the words of Tosfos and Rashi seem to prove the oppo- cant minority. I heard from my father-in-law, Rav Y.S. Elyashiv zt”l,
site of the view of the Tzelach. Therefore, the Imrei Binah explains that 5% is considered an insignificant minority (while less than 5% is
the Rambam in a different way. He says that the theriac, though not of no significance at all.)
enjoyable to the palate, benefits the stomach. The chametz contained In view of the above, one needs to weigh whether during the half
within it slightly satiates one’s hunger. Since this is prohibited plea- hour time-difference between walking and riding in a car there is
sure from chametz on Pesach, theriac is prohibited. more than a 5% chance that the physician will be needed, and that
According to these words of Imrei Binah, it seems to me that a during the additional time it will take him to show up, the patient’s
sweet medication made of chametz inserted into a capsule which is life will be endangered. If this is indeed so, then it is forbidden for the
not made of chametz, or wrapped in thin paper, is forbidden. Even physician to walk.
though this is not considered the normal way of eating, it is prohibited One should arrange before Shabbos for a gentile driver to drive
since it benefits the intestines. However, in Responsa Atzei Halevanon the physician to the hospital. Alternatively, the physician can ride a
(#19, Rav Tzirelson) it says that it is permissible to place medication bike to work, which is not in violation of any Torah prohibitions. If
containing chametz into a non-chametz capsule for a patient whose none of these options are viable, then he should find a room in the
whole body is weak. hospital or nearby where he can stay over Shabbos without violating
So, too, we derive from the words of the Imrei Binah that if a gentile any prohibitions at all.
pharmacist made a medication on Pesach from mixtures of chametz If the possibility that the physician will be needed during the extra
and it is not fit for concumption, it is prohibited. Even though the half hour of walking is very slight, and in the event that he is called
Iggros Moshe wrote that an ointment made from a mixture of cha- while walking, he can use a taxi to get to the hospital, then there is
metz is permissible, since smearing it on one’s skin is considered an less than a 5% chance of pikuach nefesh. In this case he should try to
unusual way of benefitting from it, he wrote this about ointments but find a gentile driver, or ride a bike, and then he does not have to find
not about oral medications that can benefit the intestines. However a place to be near the hospital but can remain in his home (if it is
according to the Mekor Chaim (#466), a dressing owned by a gentile, important to him to be home, as it will give him the strength to treat
which became disqualified for consumption by a dog on Pesach, is his patients.)
permissible for use. This is because the chametz of a gentile which Regarding the question of riding back home from the hospital on
does not require destruction resembles “before its time.” Likewise, in Shabbos, if there is not a great possibility that he will be needed again,
our case, if the gentile pharmacist makes the mixture, and disqualifies then while he is prohibited to have another Jew drive his car, he can
the chametz from being eaten on Pesach, it is also permitted. However, have a gentile drive him home or ride a bike home. But if there is any
it seems that the Chok Yaakov (#442:19) disagrees. He writes: Ink possibility at all that the hospital will need him again during the time
214 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein a Far-fetched Concern of Pikuach Nefesh 2 239
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