Preparing for the Shechita

Before the slaughter, Daniel carefully prepared and examined his chalaf. Proper preparation of the knife is an essential part of shechita and precedes the separation of the priestly portions that follows.

View photograph — shechita preparation

Daniel the shochet preparing his knife for the shechita.

Separating the Zeroa

Following the shechita, the Zeroa was separated for delivery to a Kohen. The Shulchan Aruch describes the mitzvah of separating the portions promptly — מצוה להפרישם מיד.

In this particular slaughter facility, regulatory procedures required the animal to be skinned before the foreleg and other portions could physically be removed. The practical sequence therefore reflected the operational requirements of the facility while preserving the designation of the portions due to the Kohen.

The Lechayayim

The Lechayayim — the jaw portions — are likewise among the portions assigned by the Torah to the Kohen. The tongue is included with the jaw portions, and in the case of sheep the relevant wool or hair attached to the portion remains with it.

All Three Matanot From Both Animals

The highlight of the morning was not simply the slaughter of the two lambs, but the deliberate separation of all three Matanot Kehuna from each animal.

The Zeroa, Lechayayim, and Keva are not symbolic commemorations. They are tangible portions assigned by the Torah to the Kohen. This shechita provided a practical demonstration that the mitzvah can be incorporated into contemporary kosher slaughter when those involved intentionally make provision for it.

This documented shechita offers a simple example of an ancient Torah institution functioning in ordinary life: an animal is slaughtered, the designated priestly portions are separated, and what the Torah assigns to the Kohen is delivered accordingly.