Shafting General
The term "slaughtering" is derived from the Hebrew "schachat," meaning to slaughter. Slaughtering refers to the religiously motivated slaughter of a healthy animal. This practice is practiced in Islam and Judaism.
Background of the ritual slaughter
Both the Koran and the Torah prohibit the consumption of carrion and blood. According to religious beliefs, the soul is found in blood. Based on this, there is a rule that the animal should lose as much blood as possible during slaughter and the subsequent processing of the meat. There are also precise regulations regarding the slaughter process.
Process of slaughter
During slaughter, the carotid arteries, jugular veins, trachea, and esophagus of a living animal are severed with a single incision. Because the spinal cord remains unharmed, muscular activity continues, and most of the blood is pumped out of the body. If carried out correctly, the animal will die within a few seconds, as the suffering of the animal is intended to be kept as minimal as possible. After slaughter, the dead animal undergoes further processing. In the Jewish ritual slaughter, the meat is washed and salted, and the meat is inspected. This is where the meat and organs are checked for health, looking for diseases, tumors, and irregularities that would make the meat unclean. Only after successful further processing is the meat "kosher" in Judaism, or "halal" in Islam, and suitable for consumption.
Slaying in Germany
In Germany, ritual slaughter is only permitted under strict regulations. In most cases, the animal is briefly stunned with an electric current to reduce suffering.
There are a few licensed slaughterhouses that have official approval. Only in these establishments is ritual slaughter permitted.
Additional sources (accessed 04.01.2019):
- vgt(dot)ch/doc/schaechten/schaechten-uni-fr.pdf
- bsz-eoplauen(dot)de/3/community/facharbeiten/juedischereligion.pdf
- sgaar(dot)de/index.php?seite=schechita
- welt(dot)de/print/die_welt/hamburg/article163639649/Only-experts-may-carry-in-Germany.html
- tierschutzbund(dot)de/information/background/agriculture/slaughtering/
