876 —תפקיד השוחט מעבר לטקס

B"H, 23rd of Teves, 5711.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Mohara"tz Berahal

Shalom u'Vrachah!

...You have surely heard the saying of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, who stated several times in his holy talks that the shochet is not just a man with a knife in his hand—a 'skatabayetz'—but his role is to influence the city where he resides, to draw it away from matters of the body and animal soul and bring it closer to Hashem through love of G‑d, love of Torah, and love of Israel. As our Sages say: 'Ein veshachat ela umashach' (the word "and he slaughtered" also means "and he drew [close]").

This is also true in a simple sense: through shechitah—when there is 'vezavachta' (you shall slaughter), then there can be 've'achalta' (you shall eat)—the meat of an animal or bird becomes human flesh and blood, elevated from earthliness to the supernal. For beloved are Israel who are called children to the Omnipresent; an extra measure of love is made known to them by being called children to the Omnipresent. Fortunate is the person who brings closeness between child and father—especially when these are such precious children and such a precious father. Great indeed is this merit: to bestow upon him all good in everything needed both materially and spiritually.

With blessing, Menachem Schneerson

Enclosed: booklet for 24th Teves with a letter pertaining to him.

Summary

A shochet's mission extends far beyond ritual; he must uplift his community spiritually by fostering love for G‑d, Torah, and fellow Jews—serving as a bridge between them and their Father in Heaven.