1. Over the past few weeks, we have studied many of the halachot of trapping animals on Shabbat. This week, we will learn about a closely related halacha: killing animals on Shabbat. Killing any animal, insect, or other living creature violates the melachah of netilat neshamah (taking a life) (Rambam, Shabbat 11:1). Therefore, one may not kill a bird, fly, ant, or other tiny insect on Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch Harav, O.C. 316:22).

2. One may not walk through an area where it is certain that one will step on and kill insects, such as ants. Although killing the insects is not one’s intention, it is nevertheless forbidden because of pesik reisha (performing an otherwise permitted act that will inevitably result in a prohibited act). However, with especially small ants, even stepping directly on them may not necessarily kill them. In such a case, the act may be considered a davar she’eino mitkavein (an action that has an unintended result that is not inevitable), which is permitted (see Orchot Shabbat, ch.14, n.42).

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