Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, leader of the Lubavitcher movement, expressed today, in a message to New York state legislators, vigorous opposition to any legislation which would interfere with schechitah, Jewish ritual slaughter.
The statement referred to a bill now pending in the State Legislature, sponsored by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which would prohibit, as not humane, shackling and hoisting of beef animals prior to slaughter. The bill is now before the State Senate Agricutural Committee but no hearings have been held.
In his message, Rabbi Schneerson said that the method of preparing a food animal for ritual slaughter was itself part of the schechitah process. Urging the legislators to drop consideration of the measure, Rabbi Schneerson declared that “even to discuss legislation of any method of schechitah preparation would constitute direct government interference with the religious liberties of the Jewish people.”
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