Government officials in Eastern United States have warned that the newest invasive species, the spotted lantern fly, has the potential to inflict millions of dollars of damage on agriculture and other industries, and are encouraging the public to kill the insects on sight.

Is this the Jewish way? Do these bugs, creations of G‑d, not have a right to life?

Letter of the Law

According to Jewish law, one is forbidden to needlessly kill or cause pain to creatures. If doing so benefits humans, however, then it is permitted,1 such as when an animal is causing pain or significant disturbance.

Indeed, there are instances when it is a mitzvah to end an animal’s life. For example, in a case where an animal poses an identifiable danger, or when kosher meat is required for Shabbat or Yom Tov.

Thus, since the killing of this invasive species is being done for the benefit of preventing damages, it is permitted.

The Way of the Pious

Nevertheless, killing any of G‑d’s creatures is not something to be taken lightly.

A Jewish court would only put an animal to death after a full panel of 23 judges had evaluated whether it was the correct course of action.2 (Of course, this was only when the animal did not pose immediate danger.)

There are many anecdotes of rabbis and mystics taking great care not to kill animals:

The Talmud3 relates that once a calf en route to slaughter passed before Rabbi Judah the Prince (redactor of the Mishnah). The calf broke away, nuzzled its head under the rabbi’s garment, and cried pitifully.

“Go,” said Rabbi Judah. “What can I do for you? For this you were created.”

Because of his lack of compassion, it was declared in heaven that Rabbi Judah would suffer painful ailments for 13 years.

One day, his maidservant was sweeping the house. Seeing some young weasel pups lying there, she was about to sweep them away, but Rabbi Yehuda stopped her. “Let them be, as it is written:4 ‘G‑d’s compassion is over all His creatures.’ ” he said.

At that moment, it was declared in Heaven, “Since he is now compassionate, let us be compassionate to him,” and he was cured.

Commentators explain that slaughtering an animal is not only permitted, but is in many instances a mitzvah. Nevertheless, it was expected that someone as refined and saintly as Rabbi Yehuda would show greater compassion, even if the animal would ultimately be slaughtered.5

The great kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, known as the Arizal, was known to avoid killing insects even if they were a nuisance.6 Similarly the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber, would not kill the mosquitoes even while they were biting him, simply brushing them away instead.7

Tearing a Leaf

This perspective of being careful with G‑d’s creations extends to plants as well.

When the sixth Rebbe was a young boy, he would walk through nature with his father, the fifth Rebbe.

During one of these walks, as his father was discussing how every movement of each stalk and blade of grass was included in G‑d’s primordial thought of creation and is guided by divine providence, he absent-mindedly plucked a leaf off a tree and began to shred it between his fingers.

His father gently chided him, “How can one be so callous towards a creation of G‑d? This leaf was created by the Almighty for a specific purpose, and is imbued with a divine life force. It has a body, and it has its life. In what way is the ‘I’ of this leaf inferior to yours?”8

Not at Another’s Expense

This does not mean, however, that it would be preferable not to kill an invasive species. Firstly, the actions of the saintly are not necessarily meant as instructions for all.9 Furthermore, even if one does wish to go beyond the letter of the law, one may not do so at the expense of others. Since the spotted lantern flies are actively destroying ecosystems and causing financial harm to others, the kinder, more sensitive approach is to help get rid of them.10

Nonetheless, many rabbis suggest that in situations where one does need to kill an animal (other than when performing kosher slaughter), one should avoid doing so with their bare hands, as this is a callous act of cruelty. Rather, one should try to use poisons or traps that cause the least amount of pain and harm.11