QUESTION: May one take time-release pills this Shabbos (such as caffeine or ibuprofen pills), so as to make it easier to fast on Tisha B’Av?

ANSWER: Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlita (Kobetz Halachos (Bein Hamitzarim pg. 203) writes that in general it is improper to take pills before a fast in order to make it easy to fast. A fast day is supposed to be a day of suffering to arouse us to do teshuva. It is inappropriate to try to circumvent the purpose of the fast. However, for those who find it exceedingly difficult to fast, and therefore need to take pills, it is permitted. What about on Shabbos? There are two issues to deal with.

• Hachanah - The prohibition of preparing on Shabbos for after Shabbos.

• Refuah - The prohibition of taking medicine on Shabbos.

Rav Kamenetsky writes that slow-release capsules, that begin working right away, are not an issue of hachanah. However, delayed-release capsules which will only begin working after the fast has begun, should not be taken on Shabbos as this would be an issue of hachanah. However, if one mixed the pill into a food, so that it is not noticeable that he is taking medicine, then this food may be eaten on Shabbos.

As relates to the prohibition of taking medicine on Shabbos, he explains that in this case it is permitted, since the person taking the pills is not sick at all. The purpose of the medicine is only to protect the individual so that he does not become sick. According to many poskim, the prohibition of taking medicine does not apply in this case. Therefore, if there is a great need, one may rely on this opinion.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.