1,988
edits
Who Can Be a Shochet: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
m
→Qualifications of a Shochet
MordechaiD (talk | contribs) |
MordechaiD (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
: Only a Jew specially trained for shechita - a shochet - can perform shechita. He is required to study for a number of years and is examined, in theory and practice, in the laws of shechita, animal anatomy and pathology. He serves an apprenticeship with an experienced shochet before becoming fully qualified. The position of shochet, as a Godfearing person of integrity, is a respected one in the Jewish community. | : Only a Jew specially trained for shechita - a shochet - can perform shechita. He is required to study for a number of years and is examined, in theory and practice, in the laws of shechita, animal anatomy and pathology. He serves an apprenticeship with an experienced shochet before becoming fully qualified. The position of shochet, as a Godfearing person of integrity, is a respected one in the Jewish community. | ||
==Qualifications of a Shochet== | ==Qualifications of a Shochet== | ||
Before attempting the act of Shechitah, one must become fluent in the relevant laws (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 1-28) and then practice in front of an expert until he desensitizes himself. If he faints, he may ruin the shechitah and not even realize. Once he can successfully shecht three times in a row in front of an expert, he may then shecht on his own.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:2</ref> | |||
===The Shechitah of an Untested Stranger=== | ===The Shechitah of an Untested Stranger=== | ||
# The basic axiom is that most people involved in shechitah are competent ("רוב מצויין אצל שחיטה מומחין הן"); however, one could argue that we only rely on that as a last resort. Therefore, if one is approached by a stranger who wants to slaughter an animal for him, according to the letter of the law, one may permit him to slaughter first and assess his knowledge of Shechitah afterwards, as we are not concerned that he will shecht and take off before we can investigate. If the shochet is still here or can be recalled for us to investigate his knowledge, then he must be. Even so, he doesn't need to be asked if he faints. Regardless, one should check the simanim.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:3</ref> | # The basic axiom is that most people involved in shechitah are competent ("רוב מצויין אצל שחיטה מומחין הן"); however, one could argue that we only rely on that as a last resort. Therefore, if one is approached by a stranger who wants to slaughter an animal for him, according to the letter of the law, one may permit him to slaughter first and assess his knowledge of Shechitah afterwards, as we are not concerned that he will shecht and take off before we can investigate. If the shochet is still here or can be recalled for us to investigate his knowledge, then he must be. Even so, he doesn't need to be asked if he faints. Regardless, one should check the simanim.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:3</ref> | ||
