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1 AnsweR

If all the physicians are Torah observant, one should decide by lottery.
If the other physicians do not (yet) fulfill mitzvos, the order of prior-
ities is as follows:
Section 12
1. The easiest is the second day of Rosh Hashanah, when prohibi-
tions of Yom Tov are only Rabbinic, and the mitzvah of blowing Saving Lives and Assisting
the shofar is Rabbinic as well. Therefore, even if he is compelled OtHers
to treat a patient during the blowing of the shofar, he only loses
a Rabbinic mitzvah. He should walk to the hospital. If he lives
far away, he should travel with a gentile driver. If a gentile driver
is not available, he can drive himself because the second day of · Undertaking Danger
Rosh Hashanah is Rabbinic. On the other hand, the shofar blow-
ing on the first day is a biblical mitzvah, and he should therefore
stay home in order to fulfill it. · Money and effort- How Much?

2. If the above is not possible, he should choose the night of Rosh · Research and Testing
Hashanah or Shemini Atzeres. These are lighter than Shabbos
day since their prohibitions are only negative precepts and not
punishable by kares as on Yom Kippur, or punishable by stoning,
as a Shabbos violation. There are also no specific mitzvos to be
done at this time.

3. If both of the above suggestions are impossible and he can choose
Rosh Hashanah or Sukkos or Yom Kippur, if there is a possibil-
ity that because of the shift he will lose out on the mitzvah of
shofar blowing or the mitzvah of sukkah, it is preferable that he
be on call on Yom Kippur or on Shabbos. He should write with
his left hand, because in that way he only violates a Rabbinic
prohibition. By contrast, if he is on duty on Rosh Hashanah or
on Sukkos, he will lose the mitzvah of shofar or sukkah.
4. If his choice is to be on duty on Yom Kippur or on Shabbos, it is
preferable that he be on duty on Yom Kippur, where violation
is punishable by kares, whereas the punishment for a Shabbos
violation is stoning.

342 1 Medical-HalacHic Responsa of Rav ZilbeRstein Shabbos Desecration by a Physician Who Says there is No Danger 2 367

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