Pulling (halachic) teeth

Thinking about having a root canal before the weekend? Think again. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, head of the Har Bracha Yeshiva, has recently published a halachic opinion stating that any elective dental procedures which may leave the patient in pain for several days should not be preformed before Shabbat, in order not to infringe on the joy of Shabbat.

The Halacha, said the rabbi, gives a parallel example, in which it forbids sailing just before the Shabbat, for feat one may get sea sick and suffer distress on the holy day.

"One should refrain from having wisdom teeth pulled before the weekend as well, for that would surely cause him pain and prevent him from eating for at least two days," wrote the rabbi, adding the same was true for any dental work which may result in prolonged pain.

Rabbi Melamed did, however, clarify that should the wayward tooth cause intolerable pain, one can have the problem taken care of before Shabbat.

"One must also take into account that should he refrain from seeking treatment, his being in pain will already prevent him from enjoying the Shabbat in full," he explained.

"Although one shall probably be in pain for several days after (the treatment), taking care of it can be seen as a mitzvah… since preventing it from getting worse would allow him to treat his family and friends kindly and to pray and work in a proper manner."