The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-12-25
Hebrew Butchers.

killing cattle alter the manner pre-
seribed by the Mosaic law, which
has recently been prohibitedin in some
parts of Germany on the ground OF
"cruelty to animals" has been in
vogue in Nashville a number OF
years, says the Union of that city.
According to the Jewish law, which
was laid down Moses, no butcher is
allowed to kill his own cattle. This
must be done by functionary
known by the title of "shoshet," )" who
receives his title directly from the
Jewish congregation. A years
study is required by person to fit
him for the position of "shoshet."
The manner of killing, as described
to Union reporter by one of the
butchers, who practised the custom
for many years, is quite interesting.
"The doomed animals head is
drawn down to ring in the floor,
whereupon a rope is fastened to the
creatures left hind leg, which is
then hoisted up until the body falls
over ON its side, thus compelling the
animal to stand upon its forefeet with
its head resting upon its horns. At
this iuncture the shoshet, armed
with long knife, the blade ofwhich
is some two feet in length and as
sharp as razor, advances to the
animals head and rubs his hand
over the neck in order to find a soft
place. This done, he deftly ard
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 its back to be dressed.
"The next thing done by the sho-
shet is to insert his arm ON the in
side of the carcass and ascertain
whether the lungs are perfectly free
from the ribs. If such is found to
be the case the lungs are drawn out,
placed upon a table and thoroughly
tested, in order to ascertain their
condition, for upon this depends the
healthfulness of the meat. The test
is accomplished by blowing up the
lungs. If they are found to be air.
tight the shoshet attaches his official
seal to the meat, and no meat can
be sold to 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.
D "Do you consider this manner of
killing cattle cruel, as has been
5 charged by the press of Germany"
t asked the reporter.
: "Cruel No, sir; just the contrary.
f 1t is in my opinion, the only perfect
ly humane way to kill Animals
slaughtered in this manner die
perfectly painless death, which is
/ far from being the case with the
modern style of knocking animals
r on the head, half q dozen blows
being often necessary before the
. poor creature is completely stunned.
The Jewish mode of killing has been
proven by some of the most learned
a men of the world to be the best
method of killing cattle. One good
), effect resulting from this mode off
slaughtering is that every drop of
> blood is run out of the carcass be-
fore it is dressed, the Mosaic law for
bidding Jews to cat the blood of ami
. mails. The same law regulates the
- eating of pork, which is also deem
Il ed uncleanly meat.
=. According to the strict orthodox
q law shoshet was required to repeat
i a prayer before doing the killing.
6 He received fifty cents a head,
d which made his position quite lucra-
s tive. Calves and sheep, as well as
7 beeves, were required to be killed in
4 the manner prescribed by the Mos
= aic law. Even poultry was includ-
;. ed in the list, and all chickens.
= geese, turkeys and other fowls eaten
y by the Hebrews had to be killed bv
the shoshet. Two nights before the
Jewish New Year regular process
ion of Jewish people, mostly, SER
wants and children, could be seen
g filing into the Jewish butcher shops
laden with baskets containing live
/ poultry. The poultry was all killed
e by the shoshet. The Jews were OBJ
n liged to pick the poultry dry instead
n n of loosening the feathers with hot
If water, as Gentiles do, and the form
Il er custom still prevails among them
L but the manner of killing cattle
i just described, has been to some ex-
5, tent abandoned"
! ! Truthful ToM.-Tom Anierry. of
ie the University of Texas, has trouble