For Jewish Clinicians · Training
Shomer Shabbos Residency: Elective or Imperative?
Observant physicians may—and when necessary must—provide lifesaving medical care on Shabbos. A separate question arises before residency begins: May a physician voluntarily choose a training program knowing that it will predictably require work on Shabbos?
Different halachic authorities approach this question differently. The analysis may depend on specialty, patient population, the nature and frequency of Shabbos responsibilities, available alternatives, and individual circumstances.
This page is a starting point for finding the major educational resources, practical questions, and tools for exploring individual programs.
Last updated: September 2026
On this page
Watch the discussion
Video Resources
Shomer Shabbos Residency: Elective or Imperative? is a JPN discussion examining halachic sources and their implications for medical training and residency selection. Videos load only when selected.
JPN Discussion · Part 1
Major halachic approaches to choosing a residency involving Shabbos work.
JPN Discussion · Part 2
Continued discussion of the sources and implications for medical training.
Applying to Non–Shomer Shabbos Residencies
Rabbi Mordechai Willig addresses practical questions about applying to and ranking programs that do not formally avoid Shabbos scheduling.
Navigating Non–Shomer Shabbos Residencies in the Real World
A practical JPN discussion about navigating programs whose schedules do not routinely accommodate Shabbos observance.
Before the Match
Questions to Explore Before Ranking
Discuss with your rav
- How should predictable Shabbos work factor into my choice?
- Does a substantially stronger training opportunity change the analysis?
- How do specialty and patient population affect the question?
- How much effort should I make to exchange shifts or seek accommodations?
- What should I do when coverage cannot reasonably be avoided?
- Should walking distance or remaining in the hospital affect my choices?
Ask prospective programs
- How many Friday-night and Saturday shifts are typical?
- Which rotations create the most conflicts?
- Can equivalent shifts be exchanged, and who arranges them?
- How are vacation blocks scheduled, and can residents reliably request vacation during the chagim?
- Can residents live within walking distance or remain in the hospital?
- Has the program successfully accommodated Shomer Shabbos trainees?
Speak with trainees whenever possible. Leadership can explain policy; current and former Shomer Shabbos residents can explain how arrangements work in practice. The JPN Physicians Forum and community groups are excellent resources for connecting with trainees who have firsthand experience at particular programs.
Raise scheduling questions early enough to understand each program, and ask how formal accommodation requests are evaluated and documented. Do not rely only on informal assurances.
Read · Connect · Explore
Further Resources
Use community resources to identify programs, questions, and people to contact—not as definitive descriptions of current policies. Scheduling, rotations, leadership, and accommodations change.
Current or former Shomer Shabbos resident or fellow? Contact JMAR to suggest a correction or share your experience ↗
Practical guidance