This was the actual purpose of our trip. Remember that there was a group of visitors who needed kosher meat.

Shechitah is the ritual slaughter of animals, according to Jewish law. Any slaughterhouse, whether kosher or nonkosher, is by definition a disconcerting, blood-filled and gruesome place. Torah law, however, is most insistent about not inflicting needless pain on animals and in emphasizing humane treatment of all living creatures.

Kosher slaughter, shechitah, involves cutting the trachea and esophagus with a sharp, flawless knife. At the same time, the carotid arteries, which are the primary supplier of blood to the brain, are severed. The person who will shecht the animals is known as a shoichet. He must be very knowlegeable in all the detailed laws, and he must be a G-d-fearing person.

The profound loss of blood and the massive drop in blood pressure render the animal insensate almost immediately. Studies done by Dr. H.H. Dukes at the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine indicate that the animal is unconscious within seconds of the incision.

It should be kept in mind that in non-kosher slaughter, when the animal is killed by a shot with a captive bolt to the brain, it often has to be re-shot, sometimes up to six times, before the animal collapses. The USDA permits up to a 5 percent initial failure rate.

As Torah Jews, we are imbued with the teachings which require animals to be rested, along with people, on the Sabbath and fed before the people who own them, and that the mother bird must be sent away before her young are taken to save her grief. These and similar statutes make it clear that inhumane treatment of animals is not the Jewish way.

Kosher slaughter, by principle, and as performed today in the United States, is humane, and the Humane Slaughter Act, passed into law after objective research by the U.S. government, declares shechitah to be humane. For Torah observant Jews, it cannot be any other way.

nice ????? · 2009-07-04: 19:51

Interesting shots and information.... lookagain · 2009-07-04: 21:58

Great piece. I am a firm believer in the humane treatment of animals and buy kosher meat or meat from a source which I know treats animals properly. sillyrabbit · 2009-07-04: 23:52

Informative Set! v8acc · 2009-07-05: 09:47

very interesting post!! jennye · 2009-07-05: 12:44

sorry but i don't like.... it's a very sad post to me... JaCkYe · 2009-07-05: 17:03

a strong post I must say, almost managed to get to the last one, interesting piece of information!! bedazzled · 2009-07-05: 20:28

Very informative set, very good capture!! We raise sheep. nssco50 · 2009-07-05: 21:34

Well -- I knew this might become controversial... I can understand Jackye's point of view -- But -- unless one is a vegetarian on principle, it is reality. (I mean, if one eats meat, we have to realize that it comes from somewhere -- other than the butcher store.) In the Jewish religion, we do not think that we can be more compassionate than the Almighty. He commanded us to eat meat, but to kill the animal and prepare it an a special way. The actual killing is as humane as possible. In addition, we have an entire procedure of soaking, salting, and triple rinsing, to eliminate any blood from the meat, since the animalistic tendencies are at home in the blood. Furthermore, we do not eat the heart, the seat of the animal soul, and which had so much blood in it. Again, it is reality. When we do the will of the Creator, follow these procedures, and bless HIm before and after eating, we elevate the food that we eat. With blessing, Leah :-) ????? · 2009-07-05: 22:26

This is interesting. I'm glad about the care taken not to cause fear ot pain. Widcat · 2009-07-07: 21:36

Two more points: I also suggest to start at the beginning of this set, here. Last point (I hope) -- there are always two ways of looking at things -- i.e. is the glass half full or half empty? Maybe because I was once considering a medical career, I'm not so squeamish. But when I look at #8 above, I see the amazing handiwork of the Creator -- the symmetry and how every organ makes the animal function -- just as much as we see His work in a beautiful flower or sunset. After all, He did create everything, not just the overtly beautiful things. We can look and see His hand everywhere, and appreciate it. ????? · 2009-07-07: 23:17

Oh, it's like a series by Chaim Soutaine.. Nellinka · 2009-07-09: 18:45

Thanks Nellinka! ????? · 2009-07-09: 23:47

Interesting infirmation and a strong post, I managed to get to the last one!! Ryana · 2009-07-12: 14:27

Here there's a holiness. Hunting for sport is cruel. Batya from Shiloh · 2009-07-21: 15:55

As you so often do, Leah, you educate us and allow many of us to see another way of life, culture, perspective, and way a faith is practiced. Good for you! Better for us :-) You know, the way this practice of choosing and preparing the lamb, the slaughter, cleaning, everything is done, it makes it easier to go through and understand. Thanks for educating me,...again :-) lookwhatisaw · 2011-09-23: 16:41