- Q. Good evening Rabbi. My husband has very poor vision, and his doctor has recommended a magnifying glass with light for him to read.
The magnifying glass may be used with or without the lights, but the usefulness is greatly enhanced with the light.
The question is if my husband would be able to use this equipment on Shabbat or holidays. Could his caregiver turn the light on and off on Shabbat?
I’m including the specifications for the equipment. Thank you so much:
A. Sorry for the delay, we are B’H very busy. Since the magnifying glass uses LED lights as mentioned in the specifications for the equipment, the prohibition involved in turning on or off the lights is basically only Rabbinical following the opinion of most Poskim. Therefore, since the Gentile caregiver is the one turning the LED lights on and off, it involves a “Sh’vus D’Sh’vus, or only a double Rabbinical prohibition that is permitted in cases of illness or when really needed. It is better to instruct the caregiver before Shabbos what he should do.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
