Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-11-06
How Jews Kill Cattle.

NdSHNific Union. Inc custom OF the
Hebrews of killing cattle after the man
ner prescribed by the Mosaic law,
which has recently been prohibited in
some parts of Germany OF the ground
of ~"cruelty to animals" has been in
vogue in Nashville a number Of years.
According to the Jewish law, which
was laid down by Moses, no butcher is
allowed to Kill his W cattle. This
mast be done by n functionary known
by the title of ''shoshet.' who receives
his title directly from the Jewish con-
gregatIon. \ years study is required
10y 4 person TO fiji him for the position
Of "shoshet," The manner of killing.
~. described TO a Union reporter yes
terday by one of the butchers, who
practiced the custom for many years
is quite interesting. The doomed
animals head is drawn down to Il ring
III the floor, whereupon Il rope is fast
ened to the creatures left hind leg.
which is then hoisted up until the body
falls over upon its side. thus COMPEL
ing the animal 10 stand upon
its forefeet with its head rest
ing upon its horns. At this june
ture the shoshet, armed with a long
knife, the blade of which is some two
feet in length and as sharp as Il razor,
advances to the animals head and
rubs his hand over the neck in order to
find Il soft place. This done he deity
and quickly draws the deadly weapon
across the animals throat. He is only
allowed to make one cut and two
slashes. No one is allowed to touch
the animal until it has bled to death.
When life is extinct it is laid upon IFS
back to be dressed. The next thing
done by the shoshet is to insert his arm
on the inside of the carcass and ascer-
tain whether the lungs are perfectly
free from the ribs. If such is found 10
be the ease, the lungs are drawn out,
placed upon a table, and thoroughly
tested. in order to ascertain their on
dition.f for upon this depends the health
fulness of the meat. The test is ac-
complishcd by blowing up the lungs.
If they are found to be air-ti@ht the
shoShet attaches his official seal to the
meat, and ne meat can be sold 10 the
Hebrew customers unless SO branded.
The seal contains the word Kosher,
printed in Hebrew characters. The
entire process Is in accordance with
the rules laid down in the Mosaic
law
''Do YOU consider this manner of
killing cattle cruel as has been charged
by the press of G~ermany?' asked the
reporter.
Cruel! No, sir; just the contrary.
II is, in my opinion. the only perfectly
humane way to kill. Animals
slaughtered in this manner die
Il perfectly painless death, which
which is far from being the case with
the modern style of knocking animals
upon the head. half u dozen blows be-
ing often necessary before the poor
creature is completely stunned. The
Jewish mode of killing has been proven
by some of the most learned men of the
world TO be the best method of killing
cattle. One good effect resulting from
this mode of Strengthening is that every
drop OF blood is run out of the carcass
before il is dressed, the Mosaic law for
bidding Jews to eat the blood of ami
mails. Neither were the people Of this
faith permitted to eat from the hind
quarters of animals, as these were not
considered clearly. The same law
regulates the eating of pork, which is
also deemed uncleanly meat. Accord
ing to the strict orthodox law Il shoshet
was required to repeat Il prayer before
doing the killing. He received fifty
cents n head. which made his position
quite lucrative. Calves and sheep, as
well AS beeves, were required to BIZ
killed in the manner prescribed by the
Mosaic law. Even poultry was includ-
ed in the list, and all chickens, geese.
turkeys and other fowls eaten by the
Hebrews had to be killed by the sho-
shet.
Two nights before the Jewish New
Year. regular procession OF Jewish
people, mostly servants and children
could be seen filing into the Jewish
butcher shops, laden with baskets con
tanning live poultry. The poultry was
AL killed by the shoshet. The Jews
were obliged to pick the poultry dry
instead of loosening the feathers with
hot water. as Gentiles do, and the for
mer custom still prevails among them.
but the manne of killing cattle just de-
scribed. has been to some extent aban-
doned."
'.Why is that?"
..Well, | suppose it is because the
Hebrews. like everybody else. have be-
come imbued with new ideas and have
made up their minds that meat pre-
pared in the modern way for the Chris
tlans is also good enough for them.
Still believe the old Jewish custom OF
killing TO be preferable, both from Il
bun,na and ~cleanly standpoint. Now