My son has had a fever on and off for a few weeks already. Am I allowed to use an electric thermometer to check his fever on Shabbos?

 

It is always best to use a non electric thermometer, such as a forehead thermometer strip or an oral glass thermometer etc. Thus there is no need to use an electric thermometer on Shabbos. (Although the digital thermometers are a bit more accurate, but nonetheless these thermometers will also detect a fever).

If no nonelectric thermometers are available, then one may use an electric thermometer with a shinui, or have a non-Jew take the temperature if possible.

 

Sources:

שו”ע אדה”ז סי’ שכ”ח סעי’ כ”א. ארחות שבת ח”ב עמ’ רמא.

 

 

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