Hunting for Sport

Q. Is it permissible to hunt for sport?

A. The Noda B’iYehuda (YD 2:10) was asked whether the prohibition of tzar balei chayim applies to hunting. He writes that according to the letter of the law, it is not a violation of tzar baalei chayim, however it is certainly wrong for other reasons. He explains that tzar baalei chayim does not apply, so long as there is some constructive human benefit from the hunting. For example, if the hunter plans to use the skins, then it is not a violation of tzar baalei chayim. Furthermore, if the hunter makes sure to kill the animal quickly, then tzar baalei chayim will also not apply. The Gemara (Chulin 7b) relates that Rebbi Yehudah HaNasi purchased special white mules whose kick can be lethal. Rebbi Yehuda HaNasi suggested remedying the situation by cutting their legs, but was told that this would cause tzar baalei chayim. He then suggested killing the mules but was told that this too was not permitted, because of bal tashchis (being wasteful). The Noda B’Yehuda notes that it is apparent that killing the mules would not be prohibited because of tzar baalei chayim. The Noda B’Yehuda infers from this that tzar baalei chayim applies only when the animals are left injured and in pain, while swiftly killing an animal is not prohibited. Still, he writes that unless one must earn their livelihood by hunting, it may not be done. We must emulate the ways of Hashem, and “His compassion is on all His creations” (Tehilim 145:9). Killing animals as a sport is reminiscent of the lifestyle of Eisev and Nimrod who hunted for pleasure, while abandoning the path of compassion of our forefathers, Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov. Furthermore, one is not permitted to place oneself in danger, which is common when hunting wild animals.

An additional point is that the Rama (OC 316:2) writes that it is forbidden to participate in a hunt with dogs, as this is a gathering of moshav leitzim (loosely translated, trivial pursuits). Sefer Nefesh Chaya and the Gadol from Minsk both write that the same applies to recreational hunting, even without dogs.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.