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BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA - BRING THE PARSHA TO LIFE! LEARN MORE

Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

Blanket Rule

March 24, 2022

 

Q My toddler’s blanket and pacifier were left in the car before Shabbos. He won’t sleep without them and refuses to use any but his own. What may I do?

A The Rama (O.C. 328:17) permits amirah lenachri, instructing a non-Jew, to cook for a child who lacks food to eat. The needs of a child are akin to those of a choleh she’ain bo sakanah (a patient with a non-life-threatening illness), in whose case Chazal permitted amirah lenachri. The age at which a child is no longer subject to this leniency is a matter of debate among the poskim, but all agree that a toddler is young enough (Piskei Teshuvos ibid.).

In addition to amirah lenachri, all other melachos deRabanan are waived for a choleh she’ain bo sakanah, e.g., carrying without an eiruv in an area that is not a reshus harabim de’Oreisa. A shinui should still be used (Mishnah Brurah 328:57).

The Chazon Ish (59:4) clarifies that the Rama’s license to instruct a non-Jew to cook for a child applies even if food will be available soon and the child will suffer only temporary discomfort.

Although the Rama speaks of food preparation, many poskim understand him to permit all of a child’s needs, but some authorities (Tehilah LeDovid O.C. 308) limit his leniency to food preparation. Contemporary poskim, accept the lenient view (Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasah 37:2).

Sleep deprivation can cause a toddler extreme discomfort, so this is treated as a need. You may instruct a non-Jew to open your car and retrieve the items.

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