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Who Can Be a Shochet: Difference between revisions
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===The Need for Proper Certification=== | ===The Need for Proper Certification=== | ||
# Unfortunately, abuse of this leniency by people who will just eat anything by relying on it lead to people shechting without proper training, because they assumed nobody would check them. To avoid this, the practice developed to ban anybody from shechting or inspecting terefot privately without rabbinic assessment and approval, regardless of however much book knowledge he has.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:5</ref> | # Unfortunately, abuse of this leniency by people who will just eat anything by relying on it lead to people shechting without proper training, because they assumed nobody would check them. To avoid this, the practice developed to ban anybody from shechting or inspecting terefot privately without rabbinic assessment and approval, regardless of however much book knowledge he has.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:5</ref> | ||
# This permission | # This permission comes from a great rabbinic authority who can administer a challenging examination, not an expert shochet. In places where this permission is written in a certificate, inability to produce that certificate when requested to is a red flag.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:6</ref> | ||
# Rabbis should not cut corners or overlook | # Rabbis should not cut corners or overlook laws of qualifications when assessing candidates, as it leads to lowering the standards and thresholds of proper shechitah and then eventually people eating improperly slaughtered meat. It is too easy for the hasty and unlearned to overlook a serious issue in the knife even if they say they "checked" it. It therefore behooves the consumer to ensure that he only eats meat that either he himself knows the shochet is up to par, or he knows the local rabbinate oversees things properly, or he at least checked the knife prior to this animals shechitah and he investigated the shochet's stature with community members.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:8</ref> | ||
# Certification and a little experience for Ofot should not give one the impression that all birds are created equal. The necks of smaller birds such as dove are much harder to manipulate, so one should not attempt them until he has mastery of regular birds first. Even then, one should not shecht them without having a larger bird or a couple small ones around to make sure that his beracha will not be levatala.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:11</ref> | # Certification and a little experience for Ofot should not give one the impression that all birds are created equal. The necks of smaller birds such as dove are much harder to manipulate, so one should not attempt them until he has mastery of regular birds first. Even then, one should not shecht them without having a larger bird or a couple small ones around to make sure that his beracha will not be levatala.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:11</ref> | ||
# The certifying rabbi charging a fee and providing his own chickens to the candidate is not a red flag for conflict of interest, since the financial benefit is relatively small relative to the spiritual damage he's bringing upon others and himself by eating this food. Nevertheless, the price should be kept reasonable.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:12</ref> | # The certifying rabbi charging a fee and providing his own chickens to the candidate is not a red flag for conflict of interest, since the financial benefit is relatively small relative to the spiritual damage he's bringing upon others and himself by eating this food. Nevertheless, the price should be kept reasonable.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:12</ref> | ||
===How to Assess a Shochet Candidate=== | ===How to Assess a Shochet Candidate=== | ||
The qualities to look for in a candidate to become a shochet are:<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:6</ref> | |||
# Proper conduct | |||
# Fear of Heaven | |||
# Some independent Torah learning skills | |||
# Knowledge of the five halachot Shechitah (Yoreh Deah 23-24), the halachot of how to check a knife, and the rest of the common halachot, as well as some that are uncommon. If he knows those, he most likely knows the rest, as well. | |||
# Skill in checking a knife with strong haptic perception and presence of mind. If the touch receptors on his fingers are not strong enough or if he cannot focus, that would be problematic. | |||
# Then he should shecht three birds successfully in front of the rabbi to demonstrate he knows what he's doing and does not faint. The custom is to do three chickens, two hens and one rooster, because roosters are harder to control. | |||
# After that, he can have permission to shecht. | |||
===Keeping His Learning Fresh & Relevant=== | ===Keeping His Learning Fresh & Relevant=== | ||
# If he claims to be unsure of a certain law, there's reason to overlook that, but given the many resources available to the learner, best is to disqualify him until he is fluent without issue. It goes without saying that he says the opposite of the Halacha, that this is true.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:9</ref> | # If he claims to be unsure of a certain law, there's reason to overlook that, but given the many resources available to the learner, best is to disqualify him until he is fluent without issue. It goes without saying that he says the opposite of the Halacha, that this is true.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:9</ref> | ||
# Using old Shechita guides that aren't up to date with contemporary applications and current industry standards as guided by recent authorities is reason not to grant a Kabbalah until he gets a more up to date education.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:10</ref> | # Using old Shechita guides that aren't up to date with contemporary applications and current industry standards as guided by recent authorities is reason not to grant a Kabbalah until he gets a more up to date education.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:10</ref> | ||
===If He Fails | ===If He Fails The Assessment=== | ||
If some time after receiving his Kabbalah it becomes clear that he does only knows the halacha, then depending on how unknowledgeable he turns out to be, we retroactively prohibit his slaughter going back from a few days to his whole life. | |||
# If he forgot some of the basics of Hilchot Shechitah but not more than that, all of his kill is retroactively prohibited, as determined by the authorities up until when we think he certainly began forgetting.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:15</ref> | |||
# If he doesn't know anything at all, then all of his kill is prohibited retroactive back to when he got a kabbalah.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:15</ref> | |||
# If he doesn't even have a kabbalah, then all of his kill is prohibited.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:16</ref> | |||
# If he knows everything but answered incorrectly about one rule, then we only prohibit his kill from a days back and on.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:17</ref> | |||
# If he failed to check his knife properly but knows the laws, then it depends on how significant the loss is. For a significant loss, there are leniencies one can rely on; for a minor loss, we follow the same protocols for mistakes in laws of shechitah. | |||
===Supervised and Unsupervised Novices=== | ===Supervised and Unsupervised Novices=== | ||
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==Proper Conduct of a Shochet== | ==Proper Conduct of a Shochet== | ||
# A shochet or bodek should never become intoxicated.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | # A shochet or bodek should never become intoxicated.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | ||
# To avoid forgetting, he must review the laws of shechitah constantly, preferably once every | # To avoid forgetting, he must review the laws of shechitah constantly, preferably once every thirty days. This is usually written in his kabbalah certification.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | ||
# A shochet who does not conduct himself in a manner befitting someone of such serious responsibility is essentially feeding Nevelot and Terefot to the Jewish people, will receive a fairly excruciating punishment in the next world, and will not be afforded the opportunity to repent.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | # A shochet who does not conduct himself in a manner befitting someone of such serious responsibility is essentially feeding Nevelot and Terefot to the Jewish people, will receive a fairly excruciating punishment in the next world, and will not be afforded the opportunity to repent.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | ||
# The local rabbinic authorities should regularly check that the already certified shochetim are continuing to conduct themselves properly and review the laws and are using kosher knives. If they find that not to be the case, the certification should be removed.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | # The local rabbinic authorities should regularly check that the already certified shochetim are continuing to conduct themselves properly and review the laws and are using kosher knives. If they find that not to be the case, the certification should be removed.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:7</ref> | ||
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====Blindness==== | ====Blindness==== | ||
# A man who is blind in both eyes may not shecht lechatechilah even if he's an expert, because he may do a poor job.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:35</ref> | # A man who is blind in both eyes may not shecht lechatechilah even if he's an expert, because he may do a poor job.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:35</ref> | ||
# Bediavad, we can be lenient if the we checked and the simanim were severed properly; at the risk of major financial loss, the blind man may do the checking himself and determines that he severed the majority. This leniency is only available if he is | # Bediavad, we can be lenient if the we checked and the simanim were severed properly; at the risk of major financial loss, the blind man may do the checking himself and determines that he severed the majority. This leniency is only available if he is fully cognitive and God-fearing.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:37</ref> | ||
# In pressing circumstances, he can shecht lechatechilah with supervision.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:35</ref> | # In pressing circumstances, he can shecht lechatechilah with supervision.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:35</ref> | ||
====Deaf and/or Mute ==== | ====Deaf and/or Mute ==== | ||
# A Cheresh (deaf-mute) or Shoteh may not shecht; Bediavad, if they shechted properly and with expert supervision, the meat would be permitted.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:28. See 1:28-29 regarding how to define these terms.</ref> | # A Cheresh (deaf-mute) or Shoteh may not shecht; Bediavad, if they shechted properly and with expert supervision, the meat would be permitted.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:28. See 1:28-29 regarding how to define these terms.</ref> | ||
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===Religious Disqualifications=== | ===Religious Disqualifications=== | ||
====Women==== | ====Women==== | ||
# Although women are technically permitted to shecht, the custom is that they do not at all despite their skill, as they are more likely to recoil from the bloody and gory experience and risk making a mistake. Therefore, one may not authorize a woman to be a shochet, but if she shechts under close supervision or on her own and confidently claims she did everything correctly, it would be kosher. If she did it on her own and is not present to vouch for herself, we must assume it is not kosher, as she deviated from common practice (and we therefore will not rely on the Rov). If the local custom is to allow them to shecht, then this does not apply, but she still should not be appointed to be the communal shochet, due to the greater chance of making a mistake at high volumes of kill.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:13</ref> | # Although women are technically permitted to shecht, the custom is that they do not at all despite their skill, as they are more likely to recoil from the bloody and gory experience and risk making a mistake. Therefore, one may not authorize a woman to be a shochet, but if she shechts under close supervision or on her own and confidently claims she did everything correctly, it would be kosher. If she did it on her own and is not present to vouch for herself, we must assume it is not kosher, as she deviated from common practice (and we therefore will not rely on the Rov). If the local custom is to allow them to shecht, then this does not apply, but she still should not be appointed to be the communal shochet, due to the greater chance of making a mistake at high volumes of kill.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:13. See Ohr LeTzion vol. 5 YD 1:3 that since one cannot eat from the shechitah of an uncertified shochet and a woman may not get a kabbalah, the shechita of a woman is prohibited.</ref> | ||
====Children==== | ====Children==== | ||
# Ideally, children should not shecht at all unless there is a shortage of qualified shochtim. Even so, a child may not shecht without the skill and knowledge of shechitah and expert supervision. If he has the skill and supervision but lacks the knowledge, bediavad the meat is kosher. If he has the skill and knowledge but not the supervision, then the mean is not kosher, as he has is still immature and no credibility. With respect to girls specifically, we follow the same rules as defined by women's permission to shecht.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:30</ref> | # Ideally, children should not shecht at all unless there is a shortage of qualified shochtim. Even so, a child may not shecht without the skill and knowledge of shechitah and expert supervision. If he has the skill and supervision but lacks the knowledge, bediavad the meat is kosher. If he has the skill and knowledge but not the supervision, then the mean is not kosher, as he has is still immature and no credibility. With respect to girls specifically, we follow the same rules as defined by women's permission to shecht.<ref>Simla Chadasha 1:30</ref> | ||
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====Non-Jews==== | ====Non-Jews==== | ||
# The meat of an animal slaughtered by a Non-Jew is Nevelah Min HaTorah and categorically prohibited from consumption under all circumstances.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:1</ref> | # The meat of an animal slaughtered by a Non-Jew is Nevelah Min HaTorah and categorically prohibited from consumption under all circumstances.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:1</ref> | ||
# Nevertheless, unless the Non-Jew is a pagan clergyman (a "Min"), one may benefit from the meat or even the hide of his slaughter, | # Nevertheless, unless the Non-Jew is a pagan clergyman (a "Min"), one may benefit from the meat or even the hide of his slaughter, or if there would be a major financial loss. If he killed it via different means than shechitah, one can benefit. If they never do regular shechita for food, then that would be an indication of idolatrous intent, though.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:21</ref> | ||
# A Cuthean (''Kuti'') has the same status as a non-Jew.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:24</ref> | # A Cuthean (''Kuti'') has the same status as a non-Jew.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:24</ref> | ||
====Animals==== | ====Animals==== | ||
# A monkey's shechitah would be a Nevelah, as the pasuk says וזבחת - a human must do the zevicha (shechitah), and not an animal.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:29</ref> | # A monkey's shechitah would be a Nevelah, as the pasuk says וזבחת - a human must do the zevicha (shechitah), and not an animal.<ref>Simla Chadasha 2:29</ref> | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Shechitah (Kosher Slaughter)]] | [[Category:Shechitah (Kosher Slaughter)]] | ||
{{Kashrut}} | |||
