Ritual Slaughtering

It is interesting to note that the word, “Shechita” that refers to ritual slaughtering, is not found in the Torah. Instead, the word, “Zevicha,” is used.

The laws of slaughtering are taught in a vague manner. The exact wording of the Torah is, וזבחת כאשר צויותיך, “And you shall slaughter as I have commanded you.”

We are not told exactly when we received the details of these laws. The reference is to Mount Sinai where the Oral Law was given.

This is a perfect example of showing how the Written and Oral Law work together. We are made aware that ritual slaughtering is necessary in order to be able to eat meat. The details of the law were given to Moshe Rabbeinu on Sinai.

He taught us the specific rules of Shechita. We learned where exactly on the neck of the animal needed to be cut. The knife had to be smooth and sharp with no nicks. The majority of the trachea and esophagus needed to be severed.

It was necessary that the slaughtering be done with swift smooth motions. It was forbidden to pause in the the middle of the act of Shechita.

The Alshich added that the animal itself has reached its highest potential if it was chosen to be offered as a sacrifice.

The eating of meat had strict details connected with it. Aside from the proper slaughtering, we were not permitted to eat blood. The blood was described as the life force in humans and animals. Therefore, after slaughtering, the soaking, salting, and rinsing process was necessary to remove the blood remaining in the organs of the animal.

All of these details came from the Oral Law on Mount Sinai, as both the revealed and hidden laws were given.

We must never minimize the importance of the teachings of the Rabbis. They have the authority to teach and transmit the Oral Law of Mount Sinai.