2274 —שחיטה כשרה והרמת הנפש הבהמית

B"H, 25 Menachem Av 5714, Brooklyn.

Harav Hachassid vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Avraham Alter Kalifan

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive regards from you via Harav Hachassid vavac"h iy"a nu"n who is involved in tzt"z, Moreinu Harav Menachem Zev Halevi Greenglass. When I am at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nishmaso Eden, I will mention you as you requested in your letter.

Surely you are aware of what is brought in several places in Chassidus based on our Sages: "Ein veshachat ela umashach" (There is no 'and he slaughtered' except 'and he drew'), that just as physically, through kosher shechitah one draws the animal or bird from its state so it becomes fit to be blood and flesh like that of a human, so too it is spiritually. One must draw his body and animal soul so they become fit to be transformed into the divine soul—the human soul called so because "adameh laElyon" (I resemble the Supreme), as written in Sefer Asarah Maamaros Chelek Im Kol Chai part II siman 33, Shelah p. 301b and in many places—through kosher shechitah. This means if the vitality of the animal soul is strong, one must perform shechitah of both simanim (signs), both regarding desires for eating and drinking (Berachos 32a) and regarding absorbing the environment's air (Tanya ch. 26), i.e., trachea and esophagus; if its vitality is lessened, at least by slaughtering one sign—the one where he is more invested. And be careful with the veins (to remove the blood and excitement from animal matters) like Rabbi Yehudah (so called because "Odeh es Havayah," I will thank G‑d)—gratitude even if not understood at this time. May Hashem grant you success to achieve this within yourself and your surroundings now with good health and expanded mind.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that kosher shechitah not only elevates physical animals but also symbolizes refining one's own animal soul—transforming base desires into holiness through conscious spiritual effort and gratitude.