7643 —עידוד לאגודת השוחטים על צמיחה רוחנית ומקצועית

B"H, 24 Iyar, 5721. Brooklyn.

Agudat Shochtim Tel Aviv-Yafo. May Hashem be upon them for life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter in due time confirming receipt of my letter and the regards delivered by a member of your association. My strong hope is that since your aforementioned letter, you have increased in holiness and ascended in holiness—not only in quantity but also in quality, for this is the true meaning of increase. This is especially so according to what is explained in many places, including by our master the Alter Rebbe and particularly his grandson, the Admor in tzt"z, regarding shochtim and their matter of fear of Heaven.

I take this auspicious time as we stand before Shabbat Mevarchim—the Shabbat that blesses the third month, when the triple light was given to the triple nation—to express my blessings to each one of them in the words of my revered father-in-law, the Admor: to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

With honor and blessing.

P.S. If I may say so humorously: There is a special connection between Matan Torah and shechitah (ritual slaughter), based on one reason for eating dairy foods on Shavuot—because at Matan Torah they were commanded regarding shechitah. Everyone agrees that the Torah was given on Shabbat when slaughtering is forbidden; thus they had to eat dairy foods as brought in sefarim. And even though it seems that before this they already practiced shechitah as our Sages expound on 'Vatevach tevach ve'hechen' (Chullin 91a; also cited in Tzeror HaMor who analyzes all five laws of shechitah), it is clear that Bnei Yisrael before receiving the Torah were not yet considered "bar zevicha" (fit for ritual slaughter) as after Matan Torah.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages shochtim to continually grow both spiritually and professionally, linking their sacred work to Matan Torah and blessing them to receive the Torah with joy and depth. Their unique role requires ongoing elevation in both quantity and quality.