1. Yesterday, we mentioned that trapping is permitted where the animal or insect could pose danger or significant harm. Poskim disagree whether one may trap a bee, wasp, or other flying insect that can sting. Some maintain that placing a cup over it or other type of trap is forbidden, since their sting is not considered significant harm (Shulchan Aruch HaRav). But many contemporary poskim are more lenient, permitting trapping a bee if it is already on the person’s body or one can tell it is preparing to sting (Orchot Shabbat 14:2; R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Shulchan Shlomo 316:18).

2. Some contemporary poskim are even more lenient and permit trapping bees even if they are not already on a person’s body or preparing to sting, since their sting can cause significant harm (R. Simcha Bunim Cohen, The Shabbos Home Vol.1, p.349, Nishmat Shabbat 316, R. Nebnzahl quoted in Dor HaMelaktim to siman 316). One may be lenient like these poskim when needed, such as when a person is afraid of being stung or being stung might cause a serious reaction.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for everlasting peace in Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.