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May the elderly or infirm use a wheelchair on the street on Shabbos?

There is a discussion among poskim whether it’s permissible to use a wheelchair on Shabbos in a place where there is no eruv. The gist of the question is whether a wheelchair can be viewed as being the same as a shoe or a garment, just like a cane for someone who can’t walk at all without it, and therefore shouldn’t be considered like carrying. The consensus among poskim, however, seems to be that a wheelchair is not in that category, and using it would therefore be regarded as carrying.

In fact, there are those who are of the opinion that a wheelchair may not even be used on Shabbos where it’s permissible to carry, or even on Yom Tov, although that opinion is not accepted in practice.

The related question of whether one may have a non-Jew push a Jew’s wheelchair outdoors on Shabbos in a place without an eruv is a serious issue, and the answer depends on a number of factors. If being transported by the wheelchair is an absolute necessity, then one should discuss the matter on a case-by-case basis with a rav to determine whether it’s permissible. Going to shul on Shabbos, albeit of great importance, might not be considered a necessity according to halachah. #502^?