Q. When someone sleeps over food, there is a ruach ra’a or evil spirit that rests on the food and it should not be eaten. Does that apply also to a non-Jew sleeping over food, as the cook taking a siesta in the kitchen of a kosher restaurant?
A. Chakal Yitzchok (41) and others write that there is concern if a Gentile sleeps over food and it should not be consumed. They differentiate between a dead Gentile not creating impurity and the ruach ra’ah or the spirit of impurity when someone sleeps.
However, Toras Chaim (Shavuos 16b) reasons that since death impurity does not apply to Gentiles (Rambam H. Tumas Meis 1: 13 and Shulchan Aruch Y.D. ), the ruach ra’a created by sleep also does not apply. See question above. Similarly, Pri Megodim (O.H. 4: 7) permits a Gentile to pour neigel water over one’s hands after sleep.
See question 1620 in regard to food placed under the front seat of a plane.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a