Shalom, You asked about traveling to the hospital
on Shabat, in order to help women give birth in your capacity as a
labor coach. It is certainly permitted - and if you are the person
the mother needs to calm her, and help her through the birth process,
then it is even an obligation for you to travel on the Shabat for
her.
Before the question of traveling, let me point out
that most uses of the telephone today are Rabbinic prohibitions, and
not from the Torah. This means that you would be better off using
the telephone extensively when this wouldput off the need to travel.
For example, if the mother is uncertain about what stage of labor
she is in- rather than driving to you for you to talk to her, it is
often possible to talk over the phone.
In such a case, may I advise that you buy a telephone
answering machine that allows you to hear the incoming calls. Then,
when someone calls on Shabat, you will hear them speak, and know to
answer the phone. You should, where possible, use a "Shinui" (a way
that differs from the everyday way of picking up the phone) in using
the phone. A good shinui is to use two hands to pick up the phone
from the hook, or two fingers (one from each hand) to dial the numbers,
in place of one. You may talk in the normal manner, and you do not
have to shorten your normal way of discussion. Until you acquire an
answering machine, it seems to me that you are obligated to answer
all calls on Shabat in case they are from someone who needs your help.
You could alternatively provide the expectant mothers with a calling
code - ring once, hang up, and ring again - but an answering machine
is better.
The best way to travel is by walking. If you can
walk to the hospital and meet the mother there, that is good. Alternatively,
you could walk to the mothers house, and travel in the same car that
she takes to the hospital. If you need to arrange the vehicle, the
best option is to go in a car driven by a non-Jew. You should organize
an agreement with a local taxi company, or driver, that when you call
for them on Shabat [using the telephone as described above], they
will send a non-Jewish driver (the taxi dispatcher should also be
a non-Jew), and you will pay them after Shabat. I am certain that
this can be arranged - even if it means leaving a security check or
the like with the company on a regular basis. If
payment must be made on Shabat it is better to let the driver take
it himself from your house. Or, if this proves impossible, to carry
one bill in an unusual way, like in your shoe, to give to the driver
in the car. If this method is not going to work for some reason, you
would be allowed to drive yourself, or with a Jewish driver, but trying
to limit the Shabat desecration. (see Shmirat Shabat KeHilchatah chapter
40, 50 - 67). Of course, if using these methods could endanger the
mothers life, and speed is of the essence, then you may travel normally,
and not employ these methods where they will slow you down.
If there is no Shabat Eruv to allow carrying in the
place you will travel, you should try not to take anything with you.
Rather, you should have a place in the hospital (or at the mother's
house) where you can leave what you will need. Where this is not feasible,
you should carry one bag of things you may need for the mother (herbs,
etc), and try to carry it with a shinui.
Traveling home after the birth, whilst halachically
not so simple, can be allowed when using a non- Jewish driver. If
it is possible for you to walk, or to stay at the hospital until after
the Shabat, I would advise that course. But where this will cause
you hardship, as in being away from your house for the whole Shabat,
you should arrange for the non-Jewish driver to return you home. Where
your patient is not Jewish, you should talk to a local Rabbi who is
familiar with your situation, who can advise you how to proceed.
In connection to your question about breastfeeding
counselling and Shabat, I am not quite clear on what your question
is. But if you are asking about traveling on Shabat to counsel nursing
mothers, then you should know that in nearly every case there is not
a direct life threatening situation, or even a possible life threatening
situation, and so you are not allowed to break Shabat. If I have misunderstood
your question - please contact me again.
Some other issues that might arise, that you will
want to learn the laws about are: 1. Directing a non-Jew to break
Shabat. 2. Breaking Shabat for a non-Jew (when you have non-Jewish
mothers). 3. The laws of Family Purity in relation to directing the
fathers physical contact with the mother during birth. 4. The laws
of "putting a stumbling block before the blind" and helping others
break Jewish Law, when dealing with non-religious people. 5. The laws
of pregnant ladies fasting (not so as to give rulings, but to direct
the mothers in a proper course). 6. The blessings recited upon birth.
7. The general prayers said by the mother and father during birth.
Of course, it is hard for me to write at length about any of these
subjects without knowing your own level of knowledge. May I suggest
that you read "A Joyful Mother Of Children", by Rabbi D. Rosenthal
(Feldheim Press), as a good place to start. I would be happy to answer
any more specific questions that come up. Once again, may you be blessed
with every success in your work, May you be blessed with every success
in your endeavors. D. Sperling.
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