Spraying for Cockroaches on Shabbat
Question
Hello and blessings!
We arrived at a vacation apartment in the north, and we encountered many cockroaches, which, as residents of Jerusalem, we are not used to, and the matter arouses disgust among the members of the household. We are supposed to remain there until after Shabbat, with God’s help.
Is it permissible to spray an insect-killing spray on the holy Shabbat day?
We arrived at a vacation apartment in the north, and we encountered many cockroaches, which, as residents of Jerusalem, we are not used to, and the matter arouses disgust among the members of the household. We are supposed to remain there until after Shabbat, with God’s help.
Is it permissible to spray an insect-killing spray on the holy Shabbat day?
Answer
Hello and blessings
It is forbidden to spray poison on living creatures on Shabbat, for by doing so one kills them and violates the melachah of “shochet” — taking a life.
It is permissible on Shabbat to spray a substance that repels the cockroaches, so that they will not come there. However, not a substance that will kill them when they come afterward.
There are substances with a long-term effect, which it is sufficient to spray before Shabbat, and their effect will continue into Shabbat.
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