Russian Shochtim Gather For Pre–Rosh Hashanah Knife Inspection With Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, shochtim who supply kosher poultry and meat for Jewish communities across Russia met with Chief Rabbi of Russia, Harav Berel Lazar Shlita, for the traditional inspection of their knives.

According to the Chief Rabbinate’s statement, “the Shochtim in charge of slaughtering poultry and meat for the Jews of Russia came to the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rav Berel Lazar Shlita, to inspect the slaughtering knives, as is customary from the beginning of this new year, as mentioned in the Magen Avraham and more.”

Rav Lazar opened the event by stressing “the greatness of the avodad hakodesh of the dedicated Shochtim, thanks to whom thousands of Russian Jews are privileged to eat meat strictly,” emphasizing the “heavy responsibility they bear every day for perfect preparation… and affect the properties and character of the food.”

He thanked the mashgichim who oversee daily shechitah, calling attention to “the spiritual impact on those who eat it, with absolute adherence to G-d-fearing and expert slaughterers and close supervision.”

The Chief Rabbi also highlighted the work of those distributing kosher meat across Russia and abroad. “In light of the many requests from neighboring countries to receive Mehadrin meat of excellent quality and wonderful service,” he said, he expressed appreciation to “the business owners who see the importance of being partners in this holy cause, of giving every Jew the opportunity to obtain Mehadrin meat at affordable prices.”

Seated beside Rac Lazar was Rav Yitzchak Kogan, Rabbi of Moscow’s Bolshoi Bronnaya Synagogue and head of Russia’s shochtim. Rabbi Kogan shared memories of “45 years of the slaughtering work, which began with dedication during the difficult years in the city of Leningrad… with the blessing and constant encouragement of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.” He noted that “now, God blesses him and sees in Russia a third generation of shochtim, Chasidim and G-d-fearing in every way.”

With the inspection complete and a blessing for the new year given, the shochtim returned to their posts across the country. They will continue their work “under the strict supervision of the Kashrut Committee of the Chief Rabbinate of Russia, and especially during such a period of the Jewish holidays, when the demand for kosher food in general and kosher meat in particular has increased immeasurably.”