By Rabbi Hillel Raskin
Rabbi Hillel Raskin
The Alter Rebbe notes that the regular chezkas kashrus that applies to every Yid does not suffice for a shochet; rather, he must be known and recognized as an upright and trustworthy Yid. For this reason, the rov who certifies a shochet and grants him “kabalah” must investigate whether the recipient’s ways are proper and that his fear of Hashem is noticeable.
The shochet must also know how to independently learn Gemara with Rashi, as the Mishna says, “An ignoramus can’t have fear of sin.” The Alter Rebbe adds that even if a shochet possesses kabalah, you should not eat from his shechita unless you personally know the shochet, or he is under the jurisdiction of leaders who are yerei Hashem, so one can be certain that they appointed the correct individual.
If the shechita knife has even a small nick, it is not kosher and can disqualify the shechita. It is easy to miss a small nick unless he truly checks it well. Therefore, those overseeing the kashrus must be certain that the shochtim check their knives properly.
Similarly, the bodek, who checks the animal’s lungs for growths and holes, must be exceptionally yerei Shomayim since it is a careful procedure, and a slight
