Shechitah (Kosher Slaughter): Difference between revisions

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==The Basics==
==The Basics==
The Torah prohibits the consumption of meat and fowl without prior ritual slaughter, known as ''Shechitah''.
The Torah prohibits the consumption of meat and fowl without prior ritual slaughter, known as ''Shechitah''. There is one positive commandment to perform Shechitah, "''VeZavachta... Ka'asher Tziviticha''" (''Devarim'' 12:21) and four negative prohibitions involved - Ever Min HaChai, Nevelah, Terefah, and Dam.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Caption text
|+ Fact Sheet
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! Hebrew Term !! English Term !! Requires Shechitah !! Requires [[Kisui HaDam]] !! Details !! Examples
! Hebrew Term !! English Term !! Requires Shechitah !! Requires [[Kisui HaDam]] !! Details !! Examples
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==Who Can Be a Shochet==
''For more details, see [[Who Can Be a Shochet]]''
In order to be a shochet, one must be an adult, God-fearing, Jewish male knowledgeable of the laws of Shechitah, skilled in the act of Shechitah, and certified with a "Kabbalah" from a Halachic authority.
In addition to the actual slaughter, there are a number of other or differentiated roles one can play:
* Shochet Ofot - certified for slaughtering fowl
* Shochet Behemot Dakkot - certified for small mammals
* Shochet Behemot Gassot - certified for large animals
* Bodek Simanim - one who checks the neck to ensure the Shechitah was done properly
* Bodek Sakinim - one who checks the Shochet's knife to make sure it's sharp and smooth before allowing him to shecht again
* Bodek - one who checks the inner organs to determine whether or not the animal is a terefah
* Menaker - one who removes the forbidden fats from the animal ("trabering").
==The Knife==
==How to Shecht==
===Before===
===During===
===After===
==Related Works==
==Related Works==
* Tevuot Shor, a commentary on Shulchan Aruch Hilchot Shechitah by Rabbi Alexander Sender Shor.
* Tevuot Shor, a commentary on Shulchan Aruch Hilchot Shechitah by Rabbi Alexander Sender Shor.

Revision as of 17:01, 26 June 2023

The Basics

The Torah prohibits the consumption of meat and fowl without prior ritual slaughter, known as Shechitah. There is one positive commandment to perform Shechitah, "VeZavachta... Ka'asher Tziviticha" (Devarim 12:21) and four negative prohibitions involved - Ever Min HaChai, Nevelah, Terefah, and Dam.

Fact Sheet
Hebrew Term English Term Requires Shechitah Requires Kisui HaDam Details Examples
Behemot Gassot Large Mammals Yes No Majority of two simanim Cows
Behemot Dakkot Small Mammals Yes No Majority of two simanim Goats
Chayot Wild Animals Yes Yes Majority of two simanim Deer
Ofot Birds Yes Yes Majority of one siman Chicken
Chagavim Locusts No No
Dagim Fish No No Just kill first Salmon

Who Can Be a Shochet

For more details, see Who Can Be a Shochet In order to be a shochet, one must be an adult, God-fearing, Jewish male knowledgeable of the laws of Shechitah, skilled in the act of Shechitah, and certified with a "Kabbalah" from a Halachic authority. In addition to the actual slaughter, there are a number of other or differentiated roles one can play:

  • Shochet Ofot - certified for slaughtering fowl
  • Shochet Behemot Dakkot - certified for small mammals
  • Shochet Behemot Gassot - certified for large animals
  • Bodek Simanim - one who checks the neck to ensure the Shechitah was done properly
  • Bodek Sakinim - one who checks the Shochet's knife to make sure it's sharp and smooth before allowing him to shecht again
  • Bodek - one who checks the inner organs to determine whether or not the animal is a terefah
  • Menaker - one who removes the forbidden fats from the animal ("trabering").

The Knife

How to Shecht

Before

During

After

Related Works

Related Pages

Shiurim

Where to Buy