14. Treating stomach pains with a vessel of hot water:[1]

A large amount of water: One who has a stomach pains is forbidden to place on his stomach a vessel that has hot water.

The reason for this is:[2] because he may come to spill it on majority of his body and it will thus be considered as if he has washed majority of his body in hot water.

A small amount:[3] [Furthermore] even if there is only a small amount of hot water [in the vessel] which is not enough to wash majority of one’s body [if it were to spill], nevertheless if it were heated on Shabbos even a little, [even if this were] to the point that it is not [yet] Yad Soledes, it is forbidden [to place in a vessel on one’s body for the reason] explained [in the previous Halacha, that one may not bathe even minority of one’s body in water heated on Shabbos]. [However, if the water was heated before Shabbos, then there is no Shabbos prohibition involved in placing the hot water on him if it not enough of an amount to bathe majority of his body.[4] Furthermore, even if the there is enough water to cover majority of the body, if it was heated before Shabbos and is now merely warm, there is no Shabbos prohibition involved in placing it on the body.[5]]

On a weekday:[6] [Furthermore] even on a weekday this is not allowed to be done because of the possible danger [that it involves] as at times the water is very hot [and may come to spill on one’s body and give him a serious burn]. [This applies even if the water is merely warm, and even a small amount, as at times the water is boiling.[7] However some Poskim[8] are lenient in this matter, so long as the water is not Yad Soledes.]

Placing hot clothing on it:[9] However it is permitted to heat up clothing and place them on ones stomach even on Shabbos.

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[1] Admur 326:5; Michaber 326:6; Shabbos 40b

[2] Admur ibid; based on M”A 326:7; Rashi Gemara ibid

Other reasons: Some say the reason it is forbidden to do so on Shabbos is due to it being a medical treatment. [Tosafus in Shabbos ibid, brought in M”A ibid] The practical ramifications between these reasons is regarding the amount of water that is prohibited to be placed, and the law if the bottle is closed.

[3] Admur ibid; M”A ibid

[4] Implication of Admur and M”A ibid based on Rashi

Other opinions: According to the reason of Tosafus, even a small amount is forbidden to be placed on, as it is considered Refua.

[5] Implication of Admur and M”A ibid based on Rashi

Other opinions: According to the reason of Tosafus, even a warm amount is forbidden to be placed on, as it is considered Refua.

[6] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid; Gemara ibid

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that if the water is less than Yad Soledes it is permitted to place on the stomach during the week. [Biur Halacha 326:6 “Shepiamim”

[7] Implication of Admur and M”A ibid; P”M 326 A”A 6

[8] Biur Halacha 326:6 “Shepiamim”

[9] Admur ibid; Rama ibid; Gemara ibid

[10] M”B 326:6 in opinion of Rashi and Admur ibid which only records Rashi’s opinion

The reason: As there is now no suspicion that it will spill. As well, there is no medication prohibition involved here as is seen from the fact that Admur makes no mention of it.

Other opinions: According to the reason of Tosafus, even a closed bottle is forbidden to be placed on the body, as it is considred Refua. [M”B 326:19 in name of Karban Nesaanel]

[11] M”B 326:19; Beir Moshe 1:33-15

[12] The reason: To suspect for the opinion of Tosafus.