– Q. I live in Toronto and as it is well known we suffered recently a series of dangerous antisemitic and life threatening attacks. Is the carrying to shul and constant holding of a pepper spray can, permitted for personal safety reasons during the whole time on a regular Shabbat?

A. Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent used usually as a defense weapon. It works by inflaming the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It causes immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing.

If needed for self defense and saving lives, it is permitted to hold and carry all day and night during Shabbos.
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a