Ed. note: For all medical calls dial 216-888-1818. Hatzalah’s other number is an information/business line only, answered by voicemail.
With the imminent launch of Hatzalah, the public is reminded that in case of emergency, one must call on the phone for help, even on Shabbos. ‘Emergency’ is defined as a “potentially life-threatening situation”, even if there is only slight risk that the current condition could deteriorate further and endanger the patient’s life. This is because Shabbos is suspended even for Safek Pikuach Nefesh, and we do not follow the majority in situations of Pikuach Nefesh.
For example, if a patient has an infected wound, Hatzalah and emergency services should be called on Shabbos, even though it is uncommon for infected wounds to be fatal. However, if a wound is not currently infected, Shabbos is not suspended (unless this wound would develop into a life-threatening situation most of the time).
If a medical situation arises on Shabbos, and you are unsure if it is classified as an emergency, it should be treated as life-threatening and Hatzalah should be called.
All calls to Hatzalah should be made without hesitation, without shinuyim, and by phone to the Hatzalah Emergency line. The public is urged to pre-program their phones, so that calling Hatzalah requires minimum dialing. This will expedite treatment of Pikuach Nefesh, and minimize meleches Shabbos.
Please reach out to Hatzalah’s non-emergency line with any questions. We urge the community, especially those with known medical issues, to seek additional guidance from your family’s Halachic authority, when Hatzalah should be called on Shabbos.
The Rabbinic Board of Cleveland Hatzalah
- HaRav Baruch Hirschfeld, Shlit”a, Posek
- Rabbi Nissim Abrin, Rabbinic Admin
- Rabbi Ari Spiegler, Rabbinic Admin
