Chapter 30
General Rules Relating to Actions Performed by a Non-Jew on Shabbath and Yom Tov
ACTS PERFORMED BY A NON-JEW FOR AN ILL PERSON
OR TO SAVE SACRED WRITINGS OR
TO PREVENT SERIOUS LOSS
11.a. Generally, one may tell a non-Jew on Shabbath to do something which is required in the treatment of a person who is ill,
1) even if it involves an activity prohibited by the Torah (as distinct from a Rabbinical prohibition)
and
2) even if the person in question is not seriously ill. (See definition in Chapter 33, paragraph 1)
11.b. For further details, see paragraph 43 below and Chapter 38, paragraphs 4 to 13.
11.c. It follows that one may tell a non-Jew on Shabbath to put on a light so that one can see to the needs of a person who is ill, even if that person is not seriously ill. (See also paragraph 44 below.)
11.d. Similarly, one may tell him to put out a light so that the sick person can sleep.
11.e. Furthermore, one may tell the non-Jew to drive to town and buy medicine for someone who is ill in bed (or any other person who is ill enough to fit the definition in Chapter 33, paragraph 1).
11.f. 1) A person who is suffering from the cold is placed in the same category as someone who is ill
2) Consequently, in cold countries, when one in troubled by the cold, or where there are small children in the house, one may tell a non-Jew to turn on the heating.
3) See further Chapter 23, paragraph 24.
11.g. 1) On a very hot summer’s day, one is allowed to tell a non-Jew to turn on a fan or the air-conditioning, in order to alleviate the discomfort of a person who is suffering from the difficult weather conditions.
2) See also Chapter 13, paragraphs 34 and 35.
11.h. If the weather changes on Shabbath and the cold air produced by the continued operation of the air-conditioning is liable to be injurious to one’s health, one may tell a non-Jew to switch off the system.
