Question: Is it permitted to schedule an elective surgery or medical procedure for the latter part of the week?
Discussion: Several poskim recommend that an elective surgery or medical procedure should not be scheduled for the latter part of the week. There are two reasons for this recommendation:
- After a surgery or procedure, a recovering patient will often find himself suffering from pain or discomfort for a few days. Some rishonim[1] hold that because of the mitzvah of oneg Shabbos, every effort must be made to avoid being in a painful or uncomfortable situation on Shabbos. Thus, the earlier in the week the procedure is scheduled, the better.
- After a surgery or procedure, a recovering patient will often need follow-up care which may involve activities that are forbidden on Shabbos. According to some rishonim,[2] it is forbidden from Wednesday[3] and onward, to intentionally create a situation that will lead to Shabbos desecration. However, it is permitted to do so in the beginning of the week. For this reason, elective surgeries and procedures should only be planned for the first half of the week.
It follows, therefore, that if an elective surgery or procedure will likely result in post-operative pain or distress, or in a melachah being done[4] during the recuperation or post-operative period, then it should not be scheduled from Wednesday onward of any given week.[5] Still, if the hospital or doctor most skilled at the procedure is available only at the end of the week, or if the patient is in pain and does not wish to delay, then the procedure may be scheduled even at the end of the week.[6]
In the event that, contrary to halachah, a person underwent a procedure at the end of the week and now finds himself in a state of pikuach nefesh, he is treated like any other person whose life is in danger; we may do whatever is necessary to save his life.[7]
[1] Rif and Rambam, quoted by Shulchan Aruch 248:2.
[2] Ba’al Hama’or and Rivash, quoted by Shulchan Aruch 248:4. The rishonim are discussing whether it is permitted to embark on a potentially dangerous sea voyage which may result in a situation where a melachah – by a Jew or by a non-Jew on his behalf – will have to be performed on Shabbos. The consensus is that it is permitted to do so only in the early days of the week, unless one is travelling for a mitzvah purpose, such as visiting Eretz Yisrael, in which case it is permitted to embark at any time.
[3] Tuesday night, halachically, is considered like Wednesday. Note that some poskim rule that the prohibition begins on Thursday (Wednesday night); Mishnah Berurah 248:4.
[4] Either by a Jew or a non-Jew on his behalf; based on Mishnah Berurah 248:25.
[5] Emes L’Yaakov 331:3; Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 32:33.
[6] Tzitz Eliezer 12:43; Shulchan Shelomo 248:3; Orchos Shabbos 20:69-70; Yalkut Yosef 248:10.
[7] Igros Moshe 1:127; Shulchan Shelomo 248:8.