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However, if any doubts remain in the physician’s mind; if he enter-
tains even the slightest possibility that the pains are a result of a new
illness, then he is obligated to desecrate Shabbos and come to examine
the patient.
1 SuMMaRy and Conclusion
If the physician is absolutely sure that there is no danger, he does not
have to heed the patient’s words. If he has even a shadow of a doubt,
then he must take the patient’s view into account.
270 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein
9
97 FEELS THAT IF HE SMOKES
A SURGEON ON SHABBOS
HE WILL PERFORM BETTER
DURING SURGERY
1 Question SMoking on Shabbos to iMpRove peRfoRMance
A surgeon who has to perform surgery on a dangerously ill patient
on Shabbos feels that if he smokes before the surgery, his performance
will be much better. Is he allowed to smoke on Shabbos?
1 AnsweR
At first thought, it would seem the smoking is permitted for him.
Since the surgery is dangerous, one should perform it in the best pos-
sible way. If so, smoking can be viewed as something that assists the
saving of a life and is thus permitted.
However, we heard from the Torah giant, Rav Betzalel Zolti, zt”l,
that he had doubts about this matter and explained his view, as fol-
lows: Every puff on a cigarette on Shabbos is forbidden. It is difficult
to estimate how many puffs would be necessary for the physician to
improve his performance. One must be concerned that he will smoke
more than necessary, and it is therefore difficult to permit it.
Let us further explain his words.
The Chasam Sofer (Even Ha’ezer, Vol. 2 #82) was asked about a
woman who was fit for Levirate marriage to a six-year-old brother
of her deceased, childless husband. Physicians testified that if she
would remain “chained” until the boy grew up and reached 13 years of
Smoking on Shabbos to improve performance 2 247
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