Shmini: A Kosher Animal
“Perhaps,” the Baal Shem Tov reasoned, “the problem is not a halachic one. Perhaps the shochet is in a spiritual “position” that he needs to be removed from?”
Parshat Shmini
"Between the creature that may be eaten and the creature that may not be eaten" (Vayikra 11:47).
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The Baal Shem Tov once traveled to the town of Kamenka. As he approached the town, he heard a Heavenly voice: “Reb Yisroel, I ask that you remove the shochet [the one responsible for the ritually slaughtering of the animals] of Kamenka from his position.”
The Baal Shem Tov pondered the directive he received: “Why would there be a Heavenly decree to remove a shochet from his position?”
The Baal Shem Tov knew that Reb Boruch, the Rabbi of Kamenka was a wise and respected rabbi who was meticulous when it came to halachic matters. The Baal Shem Tov was sure if there was any halachic problem with the town’s shochet, that Reb Boruch would know of it and correct it immediately.
“Perhaps,” the Baal Shem Tov reasoned, “the problem is not a halachic one. Perhaps the shochet is in a spiritual “position” that he needs to be removed from?”
When he arrived in Kamenka, the Baal Shem Tov went directly to the house of Reb Boruch who was elated and honored to welcome the Rebbe to his town. He was invited to rest there while Reb Baruch arranged for a celebration honoring the arrival of the great Tzaddik. He sent for the local shochet to slaughter several choice lambs for the occasion.
After the slaughtering, when inspecting the lambs, as halacha requires, the shochet found one of the lambs to have a certain lesion that he decided rendered it not kosher. He removed the unfit lamb and hung it on a hook in the passageway behind Reb Boruch’s home.
Later that day, Reb Boruch found the Baal Shem Tov smoking his pipe in that passageway and staring in deep concentration at the slaughtered lamb. After a few minutes, the Baal Shem Tov turned to Reb Boruch and said, “Rabbi Boruch, would you be so kind as to cut a piece of meat from this animal and roast it for me.”
Reb Boruch thought that his Rebbe he made a mistake.
“Rebbe, this animal is treif (not kosher). Let me prepare a piece from one of the other animals that the shochet just slaughtered.”
“No,” answered the Baal Shem Tov, “I want a piece from this particular animal.”
“But Rebbe, the shochet told me personally that this animal is not kosher.”
The Baal Shem Tov turned to him and said, “I understand. But I can hear this animal begging me that it be able to fulfill its purpose in this world: That it be slaughtered by a God fearing shochet and that a blessing be said by a Jew before it is eaten so its nefesh (soul) can be elevated. Let us speak with the shochet and find out why he considers it not to be kosher.”
Immediately, Rabbi Boruch sent for the shochet. When he arrived, Reb Boruch asked him in front of the Baal Shem Tov, “Why do you think this lamb is treif?”
The shochet explained his doubt as to whether the animal was one hundred percent kosher, and his hesitancy to allow any Jew to eat it. Then he continued, “It is true, however, that there are several rabbinic opinions regarding this particular question. Some consider it to be kosher, and some
do not.”
The Baal Shem Tov then understood the “position” the shochet was in from which he had to be removed: Although the shochet was a God fearing and an expert shochet, he did not understand the spiritual consequences of his holy position.
“In that case,” spoke the Baal Shem Tov to Reb Boruch, “Please cut me a piece of meat and prepare a roast for me.” Reb Boruch stared at the Baal Shem Tov in shock. On the one hand, he wanted to fulfill the request of his Rebbe. On the other hand, how could he feed the Rebbe treif meat, a prohibition directly from the Torah?
The Baal Shem Tov understood the dilemma of Rabbi Boruch.
“Please send a messenger to Rabbi Shmuel, the dayan (judge) in the holy community of Polonnoye, with a letter explaining the doubts the shochet has about this animal and let him be the judge."
Reb Boruch, relieved at the Baal Shem Tov’s decision, immediately sent a messenger to Rabbi Shmuel. The messenger returned that same day with Rabbi Shmuel’s reply stating that the meat was indeed kosher and the halachic reasons for his opinion.
The Baal Shem Tov had indeed complied with the Heavenly decree, and had removed the shochet from his “position,” and placed him in a much better one!
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Tzvi Meir Cohn attended Yeshiva Hadar Hatorah in Crown Heights, Brooklyn after completing his university studies in Engineering and Law. While studying at the Yeshiva, he discovered a deep connection to the stories and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. His many books about the Baal Shem Tov can be found in the Breslev Store. He can be contacted at howard@cohnpatents.com.
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