Spraying Insect Repellent/Poison On Shabbat

Spraying Insect Repellent/Poison On Shabbat Day: Wednesday Date: February 19, 2014 Parshat: Vayakhel Source: Yalkut Yosef: 316 Ideally one should refrain from putting out poison on Shabbat for flies and other insects to ingest. However, one may spray raid or some other poisonous repellent to protect against them. One may not spray directly at the insects, instead he should spray where they are heading. When spraying one must leave a window open so that the flies can leave if they want to. Our Hachamim have taught us that lice do not multiply by means of normal reproduction, rather they are created as a result of perspiration and uncleanliness. The prohibition against killing animals on Shabbat only applies to animals that reproduce. Therefore, technically one may kill lice on Shabbat. One may look for and remove lice from a child's hair on Shabbat even if the lice will die. Even if the child's hair is long and some of it might come out it is still okay. The DSH is brought to you in memory of Rabbi Mordechai ben Daniel. Please visit us online at sephardichalacha.org