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Are there any respected poskim who would permit killing (with a shinui) a bug or other small creature who is clearly suffering terribly on Shabbos?

If not Shabbos, what about Yom Tov?

If not killing, is there anything else you could do?

Please don't judge me for this question. I understand the answer would seem to be "no," but I also have faith in the power of creative poskim to find a part of the Torah on which good and sensitive instincts may stand.

SAH
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    https://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/95468/16706 – Dr. Shmuel Sep 16 '18 at 19:15
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    According to some opinions in the Talmud (Shab. 12a) it is permitted to kill small insects [on Shabbat, according to Rashi] even when they're not suffering, so there's definitely room to argue that OP's case would likewise be permitted. (See also R. Emden's resp. §110) – Oliver Sep 16 '18 at 20:51
  • @Oliver Thanks. Do you think it could include cases where the insect in question does reproduce sexually and is not in a position to cause you any harm? – SAH Sep 16 '18 at 21:23
  • @SAH In that case what is the given purpose for killing it? – Oliver Sep 16 '18 at 21:42
  • @Oliver To end its suffering. – SAH Sep 17 '18 at 02:56
  • If it really, really troubles you, a non-Jew may be asked to heal or care for the suffering animal. – chacham Nisan Sep 17 '18 at 18:44
  • @Oliver There are certain prerequisites to killing such insects on shabbat; like danger or tza'ar. Otherwise, all insects(except for lice) are forbidden to kill on a Rabbinic level. – chacham Nisan Sep 17 '18 at 18:47
  • Same with yom tov. And why kill it? Maybe it could be saved! – chacham Nisan Sep 17 '18 at 18:47
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    @SAH In that case, IMHO, R. Emden -for one- would permit it. – Oliver Sep 17 '18 at 18:52
  • @chachamNisan Please see the Yave"tz I referenced. – Oliver Sep 17 '18 at 19:17
  • @Oliver I wish I could read this source. Are you able to summarize R'Emden's opinion, and perhaps post it as an answer? If he indeed says this, it's an amazing find. If others agree, even better. – SAH Sep 17 '18 at 19:56
  • @Oliver The responsa is a good find! He states that tza'ar ba'alei chaim doesn't apply to insects(rather only to animals that "work", dogs and cats) and that it is permitted to kill insects that cause tza'ar or present danger. It didn't mention anything about killing insects for no reason on shabbat or killing a suffering animal on shabbat. I'm pretty sure the Ya'avetz ztz"l holds it's assur mi'd'oraita to kill mammals on shabbat(unless they present a danger, like the Talmud rules). – chacham Nisan Sep 18 '18 at 08:58
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    @SAH Mammals are forbidden to kill(or even cause bleeding) on a Torah-level; while insects are forbidden on a Rabbinic level. – chacham Nisan Sep 18 '18 at 09:00
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    @chachamNisan To be accurate, he says "maybe it applies to dogs and cats too (because they're domesticated and humans can sustain from them a profitable relationship). His quote of Rav Nachman (left column, first line) is with regards to Shabbat. Furthermore, his premise follows -as he says so explicitly- that there wouldn't be any prohibition of "netilat neshamah" by insects [which tza'ar b"c does not pertain to]. – Oliver Sep 18 '18 at 14:46

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