Victor Cohen

In recent years,responding to plans to build a casino on Coney Island, right in our backyard, many throughout the community voiced their opposition to the project, and campaigned against it. Thanks in part to these efforts, the project has been struggling to receive the approval of the relevant municipal bodies.

The reason for the widespread opposition in our community should be clear and obvious. Easy access to a casino would, without question, lure many – particularly youngsters – to try out gambling. We all know that gambling is not only inconsistent with our Torah values, but also highly addictive, often destructively so.

Meanwhile, as this battle continues to be fiercely waged, a different gambling crisis has arisen – one which has already embedded itself deeply within our community: sports betting.

A Handheld Casino

Recent years have seen a surge of online sportsbooks and sports betting apps, which are promoted by torrents of advertisements. DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPNBet, BetMGM, and countless other sportsbooks offer free bets to ensnare newcomers. They also partner with celebrities and players, put out live promotions during games, and invest heavily in enticing users to keep betting on games. These sites and apps have, tragically, brought large numbers of youths into the clutches of gambling addiction, creating a whole generation of compulsive gamblers.

Let’s be honest about what many of these online sportsbooks are: a casino located in your pocket, or in the palm of your hand. They allow users to play the full range of typical casino games on their phone. Shockingly, every smartphone is now a Coney Island Casino.

This scourge of online gambling poses a grave threat to our community youngsters.

To learn more about this challenge, which has quickly become a full-fledged community crisis, I sat down with Ike Dweck, the founder of the SAFE foundation –an outpatient drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction facility, with clinics in Brooklyn and Deal. We spoke about the dangers of the sports betting apps, the tactics they use to get users hooked, as well as Ike’s own struggles with gambling and his heroic journey to break free of addiction. We also discussed potential solutions that are currently in the works, and warning signs for those concerned about a friend or child.

“They Don’t Really Care”

Already in 1992, Congress acted to protect our society from the dangers of sports betting, passing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA, which prohibited states from allowing sports betting. But in 2014, the State of New Jersey, under governor Chris Christie, challenged the law’s constitutionality by legalizing sports betting within the state.

“People in New York would start gambling on their phones by just going over the bridge into New Jersey,” Ike recalled.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) sued the state, demanding that it enforce the federal law. The case continued under current New Jersey governor Phil Murphy and reached the Supreme Court in 2018. In Murphy v. NCAA, 584 U.S. 453 (2018), the Court voted to strike down PASPA, thus leaving the decision of whether to allow sports betting up to states. As more and more states followed New Jersey’s lead and legalized sports gambling, the industry of sports betting apps quickly surged, growing into the frightening behemoth that we unfortunately see today. In New York, due to lobbying from DraftKings and FanDuel, online sportsbooks became legal in January 2022.

And so when you turn 21, you are allowed to set up an account through an online sportsbook, which offers an enticing bevy of free bets. Most of the apps give you a few hundred dollars to “play” with. You cannot withdraw this money – you must spend it on a bet, playing their game. This is the primary method these online sportsbooks use to pull in innocent, unsuspecting users – they offer free bets, enabling the new customer to experience the thrill of gambling. This all but ensures that they will come back and continue playing with real money, and even long after these companies made back the money they “lost” by baiting the newbies.

“The website and casinos – they don’t really care,” Ike said. Why should they? They make loads of money off people’s addictions, hardships, and struggles – and will gladly continue to make money if left to their own devices. There is lots of money to be made from addicts. There is money to be made by placing all those expensive advertisements during sports games, given the potential for huge profit if they can get someone to sign up. There is money to be made by having a user place even just one too many bets.

The “free bets” convince your brain that gambling and betting is not just good, but exciting, something that gives you a high. Once that happens, you can easily get hooked and end up coming back again, again, and again – and the greatest thing any company can have is a repeat customer who uses its services frequently.

In other words, addiction is these businesses’ best friend. And so getting people addicted – and keeping them addicted – is their modus operandi.

A Minefield of Triggers

This brings us to their second important strategy –ubiquity. Flooding the internet and airwaves with advertisements helps not only to bring in new customers, but also to bring back customers who had succeeded in breaking loose.

A recovering alcoholic can avoid bars and liquor stores to protect himself from temptation. But a recovering sports betting addict has almost no way of avoiding the lure of gambling. An eye-opening essay in Scientific American(January 23, 2025) by Allison Parshalltitled,“How ‘Dark Patterns’ in Sports Betting Apps Keep Users Gambling” describes the difficult challenge faced by recovering gambling addicts trying to stay away from these apps: “A lapsed customer who receives a push notification, e-mail or text with an enticing ‘limited time’ offer for 10 ‘free bets’ might be someone with a gambling problem who is trying to quit.”

Parshall draws an analogy to a person dealing with alcohol addiction who, after several weeks of sobriety,is approached on his way to work by the fellow who runs his favorite bar, and he says, “Here, take a free shot of tequila!” It would be exceedingly difficult for the recovering alcoholic to decline. This is precisely what happens to recovering gamblers all the time.

“You can’t watch a baseball game without a commercial telling you to bet,” Ike said.

For a recovering addict, commercials promoting the online sportsbooks create a minefield of triggers that can easily get them sucked back in, especially considering the ease with which these apps can be accessed. One of the great benefits of modern technology – having everything at our fingertips, allowing us to check our email, write up proposals, fill orders, text, call, take pictures, work accounts, and do just about everything with just the tap of a few buttons – is a major pitfall for gambling addicts. The next bet is just a few button taps away. All it takes is the right advertisement during a football game, the right push notification at a time when the algorithm knows you’re looking at your phone, the right offer at the right time, to hook the recovering addict back in and get more money out of him.

It takes just a few taps on your screen to gamble away your entire week’s paycheck – and it takes the same amount of taps to lose a whole year’s paycheck, and even to bet away all your life’s savings. For a compulsive gambler, it is like a giant hole at the bottom of hisfinancial boat, which can cause it to sink at any moment.

Underage Gamblers

“Everybody’s desperate and thinks it’s easy to win,” Ike explained, further noting that although the apps ‘require’ you to be 21, it just does not work like that in practice. “People steal their parents’ credit cards, social security numbers, and open accounts as young as 13 or 14 years old. The email is in their name so their parents would never know.They’ll go on FanDuel and just open an account.”

Unfortunately, that is not the only way underage children can gain access to the online sportsbooks.

“They have friends who have brothers who have accounts who let them bet every night,” Ike says, and – just as in the case with drug addicts – once the money runs out to support their addiction, they find ways to get more. This could be by lying, manipulating those around them, or even stealing from their parents and pawning off jewelry. Once they are addicted, they will do whatever it takes to be able to continue their compulsively betting.

The SAFE foundation has, since its inception, always dealt primarily with alcohol and drug addiction, but this past year, the number of clinical assessments they conducted for gambling problems has risen by 48 percent. This dramatic increase offers a glimpse into how rapidly the issue has escalated.

It behooves us, then, to take a step back and ask ourselves: is this what we want for our future? Do we want the younger generation exposed to all this?

An Addict’s Recovery Story

In searching for solutions, there is perhaps no one better to listen to than Ike, who not only runs an organization that has been dealing with this issue for many years, but has also personally struggled with – and successfully overcome – a gambling addiction.

Ike began betting on sports when he was 12 years old. Back then, there were no sports apps, so he had to rely on other methods to place bets.

“When I was growing up,” he recalls, “there were no apps, so to bet you had to get a ‘bookie,’ who wasn’t the most honest guy in the world.”

He placed bets on all kinds of sports games, and as he got older, it took over his life.

“I couldn’t go on a vacation if it didn’t have a casino,”

His father asked him to join Gamblers’ Anonymous, and he was in and out for many years. However, he didn’t really listen to what they were telling him. This continued until he finally hit rock bottom at the age of 23. His life was out of control, he owed money to the bookies, and he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” He went back into Gambler’s Anonymous– and began to listen.

They told him to stop watching TV and stop reading the newspaper, because the sports section in the back could cause him to relapse. He was advised to make a list of all the people he owed, and to pay them back little by little. He was also advised to stop hanging out with the people he used to gamble with. With the help of Gambler’s Anonymous, Ike managed to find his way out.

Later, in 2003, Ike founded SAFE to help those plagued by addictions. He speaks at high schools throughout our community, telling his story and helping as many people as he can.          

“Don’t Do This Yourself”

For those currently gambling who recognize that they need to stop, the most important thing is to reach out to a professional. Compulsive gambling is an addiction, and requires professional intervention to begin the path to recovery.

“Don’t do this yourself,” Ike pleads. “You need help. Even going to a Gambler’s Anonymous meeting could help.”

For the past nine months, SAFE has been lobbying New York State Senators, explaining to them the dangers of online sportsbooks and the prevalence of underage gambling, in an attempt to convince them to change the laws in New York. The problem, Ike says, is that the State makes a great deal of money from the taxes on the gambling companies’ revenue, and so the lawmakers are reluctant to impose restrictions.

Ike concluded by offering some helpful advice for those who are concerned about a friend or family member’s possible gambling addiction.  Some warning signs, he says, are “if they’re borrowing money, or there’s a friend that always wants to play cards on Saturday night, or they’re staying up late for all the games.”

If you are worried about your child, he says, look for “missing jewelry, the kid not doing well in school, or if he’s also always asking to borrow money.”

Technology, with all its extraordinary advantages, has also presented several enormous challenges, some of which have received more attention than others. Ike and the rest of the SAFE foundation hope to draw the community’s attention to the challenge of gambling addiction, and to inform everyone of its unique risks. The first step to curing this destructive ill is spreading awareness. By working together to inform our youngsters of this alluring but dangerous activity, we can begin to tackle the problem of sports betting and help ensure a bright future for all our community’s youth.

As the temperatures rise, so does the excitement for innovative tech designed to enhance your summer experience. From smart pool monitors to robotic dogs, this year’s lineup promises to bring fun, convenience, and safety to your summer adventures. Dive into our selection of the hottest gadgets that can transform your summer into a season of unforgettable moments.

Petoi Bittle Robot
The Petoi Bittle robot is a palm-sized robot dog developed for fun but also serves as a STEM gadget. It walks, plays tricks, and rolls around just like a real dog, maneuvering on all kinds of terrains. You can teach it new skills and use it for STEM education, making it ideal for learning and research projects.

Lifebuoy Pool Motion Sensor & Alarm System
There’s no such thing as having too many safeguards in place to protect your little ones when you own a pool. The Lifebuoy Pool Motion Sensor & Alarm System alerts you if someone or something falls into your pool. Since it floats, there’s no need to drill holes in your deck or pool to secure it, and it’s portable for vacations.

Fitrus Plus 3.0
A single fingertip scan reveals seven vital health metrics that typically require multiple medical devices. It measures body fat, heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature, muscle mass, BMI, and metabolic rate. With a single charge lasting up to 20 days, health-conscious users can detect potential issues weeks before they would normally warrant a doctor’s visit.

Ordro M5
Three-axis stabilization transforms jerky amateur footage into smooth, professional-quality video with minimal effort. A 120-degree ultra-wide lens captures more of the scene while AI tracking keeps subjects in focus. The 3.5-inch touchscreen makes control simple, making the Ordro M5 a great candidate for road trip adventures.

Quick Press
Creating professional custom t-shirts typically takes hours, but the Quick Press does it in 15 seconds flat. With a 15-second transfer time, you’ll produce professional designs on shirts, totes, and other materials in minutes, making it perfect for quick and creative projects.

Lefeet P1 Underwater Scooter
Explore coral reefs twice as long with this 5-pound underwater scooter that extends your diving range exponentially. Its modular design mounts to legs, tanks, or surfboards for versatile use, transforming mobility underwater for both beginners and experienced divers.

Tornado Cargo Ebike
Capable of hauling 400 pounds at 25 mph, this cargo e-bike replaces short-distance delivery vehicles entirely. It comes with lights, turn signals, and reliable brakes. Adjustable seating and suspension ensure comfort even when fully loaded, making it ideal for urban deliveries.

X1 Auto Bed Vacuum
Dust mites multiply by millions in mattresses. This UVC-equipped vacuum eliminates what regular cleaning misses. Pet owners and allergy sufferers notice improved sleep quality after regular use, as it reaches deep where allergens hide, significantly reducing morning symptoms.

Govee Hexagonal Light Panels
If you’re looking for innovative lights to make your room more engaging, look no further than these Govee Hexagonal light panels. The LED light kit offers a unique way to create functional decorations, adding a smart touch to any space.SUTRO Smart Floating Pool Water Monitor
Do you feel like a mad scientist trying to measure the chemical levels in your pool? Eliminate the stress and guesswork with the SUTRO Smart Floating Pool Water Monitor. This monitor automatically tests your water three times a day and alerts you when you need to add chemicals, keeping your pool water clean, safe, and beautiful. It even works with saltwater pools.

Believe it or not, most people have an estate. That estate might include a big house or a more modest one. An estate can include jewelry, financial securities, and even art. The question is, however, what becomes of the estate, or rather, where will it go, once its owner passes?

Emmanuel Haas and Ari Zaltz, of Haas & Zaltz, LLP, are general estate planning attorneys who also specialize in elder care. They say that one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long to make an estate plan.

The Torah addresses halachic issues as they pertain to inheritances, and of course, estate plans, and it provides several halachically-approved ways of establishing one. For many of their Orthodox clients, Haas and Zaltz will come up with several provisions when helping them plan their estates and will even provide their clients with a shtar – a halachically legal document. A shtar can ensure that the intent of the person who creates the estate plan will be carried out, without prejudicing his children, who may or may not be “heirs,” at least according to halacha.

Unfortunately, a majority of estates still go through surrogate courts, inviting people to challenge and contest a will on any number of criteria. Even if a will is accepted, another potential area of conflict could be in the accounting, where an appointed executor must marshal the assets and then distribute them according to the terms and conditions as outlined in the will. In order to avoid as much conflict and dispute as possible, Haas and Zaltz advise clients to set up a trust which typically discourages people from going to court.

In addition to making an estate plan, which should include provisions for long-term care, and setting up a trust to protect assets, Haas and Zaltz also advise clients to establish a health care proxy. There are several different types of healthcare proxies, including halachic ones that could require an appointed agent/individual to consult with a rabbinic authority in the event that a serious life and death decision must be made. In any given health care proxy, there are many different options that people may choose, and Haas and Zaltz make sure to discuss any and all options and potential issues with their clients.

“It’s something people want to consider,” Haas cautioned. “People never know what their situation will be.” He said it’s important that one trusts their agent and feels comfortable with them. In preparation, a person should discuss with their appointed agent the overall approach that they want taken should a situation arise.

“Every individual and every family has some kind of need, whether it is a young family with minor children who are concerned about guardianship – which could be the single most important provision in a will – or whether they are a little bit older and have accumulated some assets and have become concerned about the dreaded probate process,” Zaltz said.

By setting up trusts, assets are protected for both parents, while they are still living, and for the children, after the parents pass. In some situations, parents are concerned about the risks associated with leaving a substantial amount of money to an adult child who they fear might be a spendthrift, and a trust can prevent an inheritance from being distributed outright. “Even if a child has significant control over the trust, it would not be vulnerable to creditors or even to marital partners, which may or may not become a problem at some point in the future, should there be a divorce,” Zaltz said.

Ensuring their hard-earned money doesn’t end up in the hands of a child’s ex-spouse is a very realistic concern that parents should consider when planning their estate. Another concern is how to ensure that a spouse’s assets will end up with his or her children and not go to children from a second marriage.

For families that wish to leave money to a child or grandchild with special needs, Haas and Zaltz have emerged as specialists in this particular practice area, dealing with it on a regular basis, carefully planning and drafting solid provisions unique to this circumstance.

Another crucial part of estate planning includes burial arrangements and Haas and Zaltz tell people that those cannot be included in the will since the document is examined long after the burial takes place. Instead, those plans should be clearly communicated to family and loved ones. Because tragedies occur quite suddenly, or because people often don’t want to address such topics during their lifetime, the ChevraKadisha or similar organizations will usually step in and make the necessary arrangements. However, this may not be at all what the decedent would have wanted.

While many people do not feel comfortable discussing these topics, Haas and Zaltz want to do what they can to encourage it. “It’s brought down in seforim that if you address these issues, it’s a segulah for arichas yomim,” Zaltz said. Planning ahead makes for a significantly less expensive burial and takes away a lot of stress and anxiety from the family. Not making arrangements can lead to chaos during an extraordinarily difficult process and can lead to unnecessary arguments at the worst possible time.

“There are people who prefer not to discuss it for any number of reasons, but it is certainly something that should be considered. Everyone knows that eventually they will go…” added Haas.

“We’re not the most exciting conversation, and people don’t love addressing the issue in general,” said Zaltz. “We try to make the conversation as easy as possible.”

To learn how to protect you and your family visit www.haaszaltz.com or call 718-412-5288. You can also email them at info@haaszaltz.com.

For nearly six decades, Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim, zt”l, stood as a towering figure within the Syrian Jewish community of New York and New Jersey. His name evokes reverence, respect, and deep affection among the thousands whose lives he touched. Now, on the twentieth yahrzeit (anniversary of his passing), his family has released a comprehensive biography. Hacham Baruch, offers a vivid portrait of this extraordinary leader, ensuring his wisdom and impact resonate with future generations.

Born Baruch Mizrahi in the hallowed atmosphere of early 20th-century Jerusalem, Hacham Baruch’s path was shaped by profound influences. The book details his upbringing in a home steeped in Torah, his formative years at the legendary Porat Yosef Yeshiva under the guidance of Hacham Ezra Attieh, zt”l, and his close, lifelong friendship with his study partner, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l. These early chapters paint a picture of a Yerushalayim pulsating with holiness and scholarship, the vessel that forged the Hacham’s character and brilliance.

Author Rabbi Nachman Seltzer masterfully weaves together historical context with intimate anecdotes gathered from over one hundred interviews, bringing Hacham Baruch’s multifaceted personality to life. We see the brilliant scholar with a photographic memory, equally comfortable discussing intricate halacha, Kabbalistic concepts, or practical communal matters. Yet, this intellectual giant was also profoundly humble, possessing a unique ability to connect with every individual – man, woman, or child – on their own level, offering tailored advice and unwavering support. His oft-repeated phrase, “the people,” underscored his deep love and dedication to the community he served.

The book chronicles his journey – from a brief rabbinical post in Cape Town, South Africa, to his pivotal arrival in New York in 1950 to assist Chief Rabbi Yaakov Kassin, zt”l, who would become his father-in-law. It delves into his tireless work building the community’s spiritual infrastructure: teaching generations at Magen David Yeshivah, guiding Congregation Shaare Zion, establishing the Torah Center, and advising countless individuals and families through life’s milestones and challenges.

Readers will find compelling stories illustrating Hacham Baruch’s wisdom and sensitivity – his patient, decades-long approach to guiding a neighbor towards Shabbat observance, his insistence on comforting mourners personally, his profound understanding of human nature in halachic rulings, and his unwavering defense of community standards, such as upholding the takana against conversions for marriage or his firm stance against the Brooklyn eruv. These narratives reveal a leader who balanced immense compassion with principled strength, always prioritizing the spiritual well-being and continuity of his flock.

Hacham Baruch is more than just a biography; it is a testament to the enduring power of dedicated leadership rooted in deep Torah knowledge and genuine love for one’s people. It captures the essence of a leader who, despite his immense stature, remained accessible and devoted, leaving an indelible mark on the Syrian Jewish world. For members of the community, this book is a precious opportunity to reconnect with a beloved leader. For others, it offers invaluable insights into the life of a 20th-century sage and the flourishing community he helped shape.

This lovingly compiled volume serves as both a tribute and an inspiration, a reminder of the heights attainable through Torah, humility, and unwavering commitment to Klal Yisrael.

Hacham Baruch is available for purchase from David Ben-Haim at 917.570.2701 or at hachambaruch@hotmail.com.

Inventions are the ingenious gadgets and machines that have made our lives a little more fun, interesting, and easier. Real inventions are the things that we did not think were possible yesterday, and yet, it would be difficult to live without today. From the tiny paperclip to the massive jet engine, every month we will explore the history behind our world’s most famous inventions and learn about the innovators that designed them.

This month we explore the history behind an invention that most of us likely just take for granted…

LEGO Bricks

It is quite amazing that any LEGO brick produced since 1955 can interlock with any other. But, what is even more incredible is that there are 915 million different ways you can combine six eight-studded LEGO bricks!

1. Ole Kirk Christiansen  

Christiansen was born in 1891 in the village of Filskovand, Denmark.

• Automatic Binding Bricks

LEGO bricks were originally called Automatic Binding Bricks.

• Godtfred Kirk-Christiansen

Godtfred Kirk-Christiansen introducing children to LEGO sets.

• LEGO System

Pictured above is the first moveable Brick Built LEGO Train which was introduced in 1964.

• LEGO Timeline

The LEGO story started in a Danish woodworking shop in Billund, Denmark. Ole Kirk Christiansen was a creative and talented carpenter. As a young man, Christiansen turned his hobby of whittling and working with wood into a business and in 1916 he opened his own little shop.

It turned out that Christiansen was a brilliant toymaker as well. In 1932, he established his own toy company and was assisted by his 12-year-old son Godtfred Kirk Christiansen.  Ole refused to cut corners for the toys his company produced. Soon, his prototypes for model cars and animals and his cute pull-toys became quite popular. His bestseller, which is still a collectible, was a wooden duck whose beak opens and closes when pulled.

“Play Well”

In 1934, Christiansen named his business LEGO, which came from the Danish words “LEg GOdt,” meaning “play well.”

After World War II, many common manufacturing products used to produce consumer goods simply weren’t available. As a result, many manufacturers looked to advances in plastics to create cheap alternatives.

One substitute involved plastic-injection molding, in which melted plastic is forced into the cavity of a precise mold. However, due to materials shortages the Danish government forbade its commercial use until 1947. Despite the ban, Christiansen bought Denmark’s first plastic-injection molding machine in 1946 and began to experiment with it for his toys. In 1947, the ban was lifted and Christiansen was able to use his molding machine to mass-produce plastic toys.

Over the next several years, the company grew rapidly. From just a handful of employees in the early years, LEGO had grown to 50 employees by 1948.

In 1949, LEGO produced about 200 different kinds of toys, which included automatic binding bricks, a plastic fish, and a plastic sailor. The automatic binding bricks were the predecessors of the LEGO toys of today.

The LEGO Brick Is Born

In 1953, the automatic binding bricks were renamed LEGO bricks. In 1957, the interlocking principle of LEGO bricks was born. Each brick had circular nubs on the top that could be pressed into depressions of the bottom of another brick. This stud-and-coupling system was patented in 1958.

Godtfred Takes Over

When Ole Kirk Christiansen passed away in 1958, his son Godtfred became head of the Lego company.

By the early 1960s, Lego had gone international, with sales in Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, and Lebanon. Over the next decade, LEGO toys were available in more countries, and they came to the United States in 1973.

LEGO Sets

In 1964, for the first time, consumers were able to purchase LEGO sets that included instructions to build a particular model.

Four years later, the company opened its first LEGOLAND amusement park in Denmark, utilizing more than 50 million bricks to build exhibits.

Since the middle of the 20th century, these small plastic bricks have sparked the imagination of children around the world, and LEGO sets have a stronghold on their place at the top of the list of the world’s most popular toys. 

The company, still headquartered in Billund, turn out more than 19 billion individual bricks from its factories every year!

Rabbi Yehuda Finchas

“Rabbi,” Ikey said, scratching his head, “I’m confused about taking medication on Shabbat. I’ve heard it’s prohibited due to the concern of grinding herbs, but we don’t do that anymore – we buy medicine from the pharmacy. Different people give me different answers. Can you clarify this halacha?”

The Prohibition on Taking Medication on Shabbat

As previously explained, halacha prohibits taking medication on Shabbat by rabbinic decree unless one is bedridden (a choleh she’ein bo sakana). Someone experiencing a maichush be’alma – a minor ailment causing mild discomfort – is typically not permitted to take medication (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 328:1). This rabbinic prohibition, known as gezerat shehikat samemanim, originated from the concern that people might grind herbs to prepare medicines, which would violate anissur d’Oraita (biblical prohibition).

Medication Compared to Other Forms of Healing on Shabbat

It’s important to distinguish taking medication from other permitted forms of healing on Shabbat for a choleh she’ein bo sakana. While such an individual may engage in healing activities, even overriding a rabbinic law (derabanan), this is required to be done in an unusual manner (shinui, ibid. 17). However, this requirement of shinui does not apply to the act of taking oral medications (Halichot Olam 4:164, Ohr Lezion 3:36:9).

The Relevance of Gezerat Shehikat Samemanim Today

A common question, as raised by Ikey, is whether gezerat shehikat samemanim still applies since we no longer grind herbs for medicine, as instead we purchase manufactured medications. The halachic principle is that rabbinic decrees remain in effect even if the original reason for their enactment no longer exists. As the Gemara (Beitzah 5a) explains that once the Hachamim issue a decree, only Hachamim of equivalent greatness can overturn it. Therefore, the prohibition on taking medication for minor ailments on Shabbat generally remains, despite the changes in how medicine is produced.

The Opinion of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, ZT”L

However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, (Chazon Ovadia, Shabbat Vol. 3 p. 358), offers a nuanced perspective. He notes that some halachic authorities consider gezerat shehikat samemanim to be a gezeira (a safeguard or preventative decree) rather than a takana (a formal, established rabbinic enactment). Unlike a takana, which is generally irreversible, it might be argued that a gezeira may no longer be binding once the original concern it addressed is absent. Following this logic, since we now obtain pre-prepared medications, the concern of grinding herbs is no longer relevant, and the safeguard is no longer necessary. While Hacham Ovadia himself disagrees with this view and maintains the general prohibition for minor ailments, he permits relying on this more lenient opinion in specific circumstances.

Examples: Sleeping Pills and Pain Relief

Hacham Ovadia provides examples where leniency is warranted. Regarding sleeping pills (ibid., p. 367), he argues that they do not cure an illness but primarily facilitate sleep. Since promoting sleep is not considered a typical medical therapy (refua) and considering the opinion that gezerat shehikat samemanim no longer directly applies, he permits taking sleeping pills on Shabbat.

Similarly, concerning over-the-counter pain relief, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef (Yalkut Yosef, Shabbat Vol. 4, p. 143) explains that alleviating symptoms like pain or a mild fever is not considered classic refua aimed at a cure. Therefore, such medications are permissible even for a mild ailment. However, Hacham Ovadia (ibid., p. 366) specifically limits this allowance to individuals experiencing pain, even when they are not bedridden.

Conclusion

To answer Ikey’s question: Taking medication to cure an illness is generally prohibited on Shabbat by rabbinic gezira for someone with a minor ailment. However, it is permitted for a choleh she’ein bo sakana. While the underlying concern of gezerat shehikat samemanim (grinding herbs) might seem outdated, the prohibition remains in effect.

Nevertheless, Hacham Ovadia Yosef offers a more lenient approach in specific situations where the medication does not aim to cure but rather to relieve pain or promote sleep, especially when considering the view that the original reason for the gezeira is no longer relevant.

Hacham Ovadia acknowledges the differing opinions on this matter. Given that it concerns health, he advises against excessive stringency as the verse states, “Venishmarten meod lenafshotechem” (Devarim 4:15) – “And you shall guard your souls very carefully” (Hazon Ovadia, p. 357).Rabbi Yehuda Finchas is a worldwide expert, lecturer and author on Medical Halacha. He heads the Torat Habayit Medical Halacha Institute. His latest book is “Brain Death in Halacha and the Tower of Babel Syndrome.” To contact Rabbi Finchas, email rabbi@torathabayit.com.