Should We Answer the Phone on Shabbat if the Call Could Be from the Hospital?

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Question:

My mother is in the hospital in a bad situation. Is it permissible to answer the phone on Shabbat that could potentially be coming from the hospital so that I can give them guidance for any issues that arise? Is it permissible in a case like this to call the other siblings for advice? It is seemingly possible to provide directives before Shabbat. On the other hand, there could always be something that we didn’t prepare for. What do you say on the matter?

Answer:

Hello,

The family is an inseparable component of treating the patient and making decisions. Because of this, it is permissible to answer the phone on Shabbat from the hospital, after requesting from the staff to call only if necessary and not for anything non-vital.

Regarding consulting siblings: one should do everything one can before Shabbat, thereby reducing the amount of phone calls. Generally, it is evident what the issue in the hospital will be, and therefore it is possible to plan ahead with a joint response. Only if there is an essential need to consult the family – is one permitted to call.

All the best and much health,

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow,

Head of the Tzohar Ethics Center

For Additional Reading:

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