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Op-Ed: My Conversations with PETA About Shechita

by Shmuley Boteach

About a year ago, a Chabad Rabbi got in touch with me and asked if I would agree to meet a senior Jewish PETA executive named Philip Schein. Philip’s wife Hannah, who also works for PETA, is in charge of PETA undercover investigations.

Mr. Schein wished to discuss with me alleged animal abuses taking place in Shechita, orthodox Jewish slaughter, specifically pertaining to the practice of Kapparot, the slaughter of chickens for reasons of personal redemption and charity for the poor prior to the Yom Kippur fast.

I was somewhat reluctant to meet. Years earlier I had interviewed another PETA campaigns director on my nationally syndicated radio show about the organization’s advertising campaign which compared the slaughter of chickens and animals to the gassing of Jews in the Holocaust. I argued the campaign was offensive, outrageous, and trivialized the indiscriminate slaughter of six million innocent victims including one-and-half million children. To me PETA was an organization with a positive message which they unfortunately undermined by taking it to an unreasonable and fanatical extreme. Still, I went forward with the meeting and found Schein to be gentlemanly and considerate. I was impressed with his commitment to Judaism, Jewish tradition, and the Jewish community.

We acknowledged from the outset that we had differences but we agreed that we both had a fundamental commitment to animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals, something deeply enshrined in the Jewish religion from its outset. Schein argued that a great many Kapparot chickens were not being donated to charitable institutions like homes for the elderly, orphanages, or Jewish schools, but were of such great quantity that they were simply being thrown out. I told him that if that was the case it was utterly unacceptable and would have to be immediately corrected. When the subject of Agriprocessors came up – something PETA had videoed in an undercover operation – Schein thanked me for being one of the first rabbis to write a series of articles condemning any inhumane treatment of animals during the Shechita process and insisting that Agriprocessors seek out among their managers any abuse and immediately correct it. Indeed, the purpose of Shechita is to minimize any and all suffering of the animal by having it lose consciousness just as soon as it’s carotid artery is severed, thereby significantly minimizing any potential pain to the animal. My own understanding, having spoken to people who were at Agriprocessors during these events, was that any alleged abuses were remedied and if they were not, I informed Schein I would speak to the supervising Jewish bodies that granted the Kashrut license to make sure they were.

The past year Schein and I have kept in general communication and I invited him with his wife to our home for Shabbat dinner which they have yet to accept given their residence in Virginia. But a few weeks ago Schein got in touch with me to tell me he was extremely disappointed in my latest column on Sholom Rubashkin, where I assailed the monstrous injustice of his 27 year prison sentence which was not only grossly excessive but was much longer than anyone who had been convicted of similar financial crimes. Schein told me that by defending Rubashkin I was putting myself on the side of those who defended Agriprocessor’s practices. He asked me at the very least to write an article condemning further violations of ethical treatment of animals in what he said was occurring in other Jewish slaughterhouses. He sent me videos of such practices that include “shackle and hoist”, designed to help drain the blood from the animal much more rapidly by pulling it into the air with chains attached to its hind legs. I researched “shackle and hoist” and discovered that the American supervising kosher authorities have dispensed with it in favor of a standing pen. There is no question that to the extent that “shackle and hoist” is being practiced at all outside the United States it should be replaced by the American standing pen immediately.

To be sure, the slaughter of any animals is never going to look pretty and I for one, who hates the sight of any and all blood, did not enjoy the videos. But there is a difference between legitimate, kosher Shechita, which may look unsavory, as does any and all animal slaughter, but which still accommodates the highest ethical concerns of the Jewish religion verses any cold-hearted violation of ethical norms designed to speed up the slaughter process which violates profound Jewish ethical teachings that demand the minimization of any and all animal suffering. Though I have found, and continue to find, many of the methods employed by PETA to be unnecessarily extreme, I of course agree with Schein’s emphasis that Jewish ritual slaughter adhere to Judaism’s highest ethical norms. Maimonides famously said, “Embrace the truth regardless of its source.” It should not take any undercover investigation to induce segments of the Jewish community into adhering to Judaism’s cherished and ancient values and, having spoken to one of the leading Kashrut supervising authorities in the United States I have been assured that every effort is being made to ensure that all kosher Shechita respects the highest Jewish ethical values.

Kapparot chickens which are not donated for a charitable purpose but are thrown out violate the grave Jewish prohibition of ‘baal tashchis,’ wasting necessary food in a world that is still so hungry. Keeping chickens in pens if they have no food or water is obviously unacceptable and, if it is being done would seem to me to come under the rubric of ‘tovel ve’sheretz beyado,’ the Talmudic description of a man who goes to cleanse himself in a mikveh, yet holds a ritually unclean creepy crawly creature in his hand while doing so, thereby sabotaging the purification effort from the outset. As for “shackle and hoist,” the Israeli Rabbinate has promised to do away with all such procedures.

In my book “Judaism for Everyone” I explain that the Jewish laws of kashrut are designed to make human beings repulsed by the sight of blood. God only allowed us to take animal life for food out of the necessity of surviving in the world where other food sources have not always been available. Indeed, Adam the first man was wholly vegetarian. It was only after God destroyed the world with the flood and there was no vegetation that God allowed Noah to take the life of animals so that he and his family could survive. That right has been granted to us till this day. But it is one that cannot be violated by trampling on the dignity of animals or causing them any unnecessary pain, even as we legitimately take their lives so that we might live. Hence, the Torah established that as soon as we slaughter an animal the blood must be poured on the ground where it can no longer be seen so that we human beings never become immune to the sight of blood. Likewise, Jews are not permitted to eat any animals that are predatory. Only animals that have a split hoof – built for standing rather than pursuing another animal – are permitted for consumption. God has likewise outlawed all birds of prey in order to purge from our character any predatory instincts.

We dare not violate the highly important ethical and moral values that underpin the laws of Kashrut by G-d forbid treating animals with callous disregard.

I remain by my condemnation of the monstrous injustice meted out to Sholom Rubashkin with a highly excessive sentence which must be corrected by the Justice Department. I know Rubashkin and his family. They are good and charitable people. There can be no doubt that he made mistakes and has now paid a terrible price. His family is suffering tremendously. But he too has rights and they are currently being violated with a sentence that has been identified as grossly excessive by some of the top legal experts in the country, as I detailed in my recent column on the matter. I am committed to assisting his family in obtaining justice. But let us also remember that Rubashkin was never convicted on anything but financial crimes and was never charged with any inhumane practices against animals.

In that sense, I reciprocate Schein’s challenge to me. He was correct in approaching me and asking me to use the media at my disposal to ensure that kosher ritual slaughter adhere to Judaism’s strict emphasis on respect for animal life and minimizing of any suffering and absolute ban on animal cruelty. Let us remember that hunting is strictly forbidden by the Jewish religion and I respect Schein’s desire to spread Jewish values that pertain to animal welfare. But humans also have rights and just as an orthodox Rabbi speaking out against any abuses in Shechita carries an impact, an executive of PETA speaking out against human beings being unfairly and excessively punished would also make an impact. This is especially true if the people speaking out exposed the abuses in the first place, but still believe that every punishment should be commensurate with the crime, and in the case of Rubashkin, he was never charged with anything but financial crimes that should have received a maximum sentence of a few years in prison but instead got the astonishing sentence of 27 years. As the New York Times itself wrote, “The sentence… was unusually high in the recent history of financial crimes — longer than the term for Jeffrey K. Skilling, the former chief executive of Enron, and L. Dennis Kozlowski, the former chief executive of Tyco.”

I look forward to hosting the Schein’s at my home for Shabbat dinner where we can discuss what I, as a Rabbi, can continue do to ensure that my community promotes and always lives by its cherished, universal values, especially as it pertains to the prevention of all cruelty to animals, and where PETA, who cares deeply for animal welfare and rights, can also demonstrate their commitment to undoing the injustices that trample on sacred human rights. No doubt it will be a spirited, warm, and memorable Sabbath.

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24 Comments

  • not again

    the problem with PETA is that they believe that animal life and human life are exactly the same and should be valued equally. this is an idea that should be repugnant to any person who professes to adhere to jewish values. there is no compromise on this point. if you start down the path of treating animals like people, you’ll wind up treating people like animals. why even bother having discussion?

  • CN

    As a bochur many years ago I remember working in one of the kashering operations for kapparos chickens. Indeed, thousands and thousands of the kapparos chickens (especially the male chickens which have inferior meat) were simply thrown out because there was not enough time between Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kipper to kasher all the chickens. When I questioned the Rabbi in charge, he said it hurt him too, but that according to halacha it was ok to throw the surplus chickens away if it was not cost effective to kasher them all.

  • For Shame

    This is totally unbelievable! While I respect your efforts to be “politically correct” and to maintain dialogue, this whole article is worthless and an insult.

    If Mr. Shein truly cared for his people and religion, he would have dealt with these issues in a private and responsible manner. Rather, he and his group continually sensationalize and exaggerate any improper behavior, especially on the part of Jews

    In fact, this whole “undercover” operation was indicative of their evil motives. If he had suspicions that there was unethical treatment, he only had to have a meeting with Agri and other prominent Rabbis and other local officials in order to rectify the situation. This is the proper venue to correct any abuse etc.

    There was absolutely no necessity in publishing this video all over YouTube and it indicates a baseless hatred of all things Jewish.

    It is common knowledge that Jewish people do not harm animals, that it is a Mitzvah to prevent cruelty to animals, and that any impropriety in this regard is the result of a few unscrupulous individuals.

    Where are the “undercover” videos of late-term abortion, child abuse and other ethical mistreatments? Is humanity any less of an animal than a chicken?

    The fact of the matter is they are responsible in a large measure for R’ Sholom’s sentence and incarceration and they gloat over it.

    Furthermore, I have never heard one statement from them that would allow any Shechitah. If it was up to them it would be totally banned.

    To praise this individual in any way is a mockery of Jewish values. He does NOT care for his People or their traditions and it is a Mitzvah to ban him from all Jewish institutions as befits one who is an enemy, hater and informant against our holy nation, be they Jews or non-Jews.

    I would have hoped that Mr. Shein would have done Teshuvah when he realized that he had a part in destroying a family (and many other families that were dependent on Agri for their livelihood, directly or indirectly).

    Instead this article only proves that he has no remorse, and that he would happily do it again. For Shame!

  • CR

    “…a few weeks ago Schein got in touch with me to tell me he was extremely disappointed in my latest column on Sholom Rubashkin, where I assailed the monstrous injustice of his 27 year prison sentence which was not only grossly excessive but was much longer than anyone who had been convicted of similar financial crimes. Schein told me that by defending Rubashkin I was putting myself on the side of those who defended Agriprocessor’s practices.”

    By this ludicrous and outrageous conflation of SMR’s financial improprieties with “Agriprocessor’s practices”, Schein has proven himself unworthy of debate. His sole objective is to score propaganda points for PETA and goveg.com, not seek out truth. Shmuley, by debating this sheigetz and expressing interest in doing so again you have just provided a shtempel of kashrus to the indefensible. Shame on you!

  • Philip Schein

    In response to #4:
    PETA did communicate with Agriprocessors before the original undercover investigation and alerted Agriprocessors that PETA had been informed by a whistleblower of serious humane handling violations at the plant. This was all done quietly -not in the media. PETA recommended that Agriprocessors ask Dr. Temple Grandin to inspect the facility or conduct an audit. Agriprocessors refused to correct the problems or invite Dr. Temple Grandin and sent hostile responses to PETA. The undercover investigation was a last resort. The full text letters exchanged between PETA and Agriprocessors in 2003, before the undercover investigation, are posted here:
    http://www.peta.org/feature…

  • In defense

    In defense of rabbi shmuly’s article that is seemingly compassionate and gives a “shtempel” to mr schein and his agenda, if you read a bit closer you will see that he was actually pointing out the double standards of mr schein and PETA in a subtle but firm way, all while being non-confrontational. Getting all heated up and zealous with these people gets you nowhere, theyre looking for an argument, and getting angry and confrontational gives them what they want The ball is mr schein’s court to answer rabbi shmuly’s points.

    Good luck rabbi shmuly, chazak.

  • What to do with the chickens

    Here’s the truth: The chickens used for kapores many times are small unhealthy birds in the first place. I once cleaned and kashered my chicken and tried to eat it. It was HORRIBLE. Nobody wants to eat that dr-k. Better make arrangements to give/sell the carcasses to ALPO and let them turn the meat into dog food.

  • really?

    How “interesting” that PETA goes into Jewish practices and forgets non-jewish ones.I am sure in non-kosher plants at such cheap prices animals are not treated better. what about hunting? what about bull fights? I could go on and on.

  • Not equal!

    #1, I’m afraid that you are mistaken. You state that the PETA people view animals and human beings as equals. Wrong. They view animals as SUPERIOR. After all, human beings are capable of evil, while animals are not. I once spoke with a PETA person, a Yid. I asked him, if you were driving in your car, and there was a deer or a dog and a Rabbi in the road, and you had no choice but to hit one of them, which would you hit. He said “I’d feel terrible about it, but to tell you the truth, I would run down the Rabbi”. This is a true story; I heard it with my own ears.

  • Menashe

    Have you ever seen PETA ads? I apologize for using the shaim hameforash here but they are without a doubt pornography. Is there anything more degrading to women than what PETA does?

  • self righteous people with too much time

    i amm sure that these peta people also believe in a womans right to choose an abortion .

  • Wants to know

    Why can’t kapporas chickens that can’t be kashered before Yom Kippur be
    donated to a non-kosher food shelf?

  • PETA-s dirty little secret exposed here

    B“H

    Check this out — showing PETA’s hypocrisy:
    PETA’s Dirty Secret – Peta Kills Animals
    From July 1998 through the end of 2008, PETA killed over 21,000 dogs, cats, and other companion animals — at its Norfolk, Virginia headquarters (supposedly a ”no-kill shelter”!). That’s more than …
    http://www.petakillsanimals…

    2)

  • PETA Bldg: a blight on beautiful Norfolk

    B“H

    It’s so sickening to drive past the downtown skyline of otherwise lovely Norfolk, VA, where you see a tall building with big letters on it:
    PETA

    A dubious distinction, indeed!

    Send more Merkos shlichus bochurim there, to help the brave, valiant, wonderful shluchim of the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area, who no doubt have had to ”keep the peace” for many years now, with this group of PETA fiends.

    The Nazis (yemach shemo) were big animal lovers, too.

  • a simpleton

    PETA and Shmuley wow what a shidduch! They get along for so many reasons….
    Shmuley keep up the good work, if you at least keep them busy, they will stop bothering us and you will stop writing stupid articles..

  • Iranian influences

    “I explain that the Jewish laws of kashrut are designed to make human beings repulsed by the sight of blood.”
    good thing your not a cohen where did you gather this interesting fable

    Did the mohel draw blood by your bris or was he repulsed and didnt make a blood covenant for you with the rest of the jewish people

    Achas lemaalo vesheva lemateh

    etc etc etc

    learn some torah instead of trying to make torah fit into your ideas

  • Milhouse

    “Indeed, the purpose of Shechita is to minimize any and all suffering of the animal ”

    This is without basis, and borders on kefirah.

  • Milhouse

    #16, first of all they probably won’t accept it. Second, there is no mitzvah of tzedokoh in doing so, so what would be the point?

  • No Shame

    Schein has no shame, peta has no shame, shmuli has no shame, animals have no shame.

    Poor kitten crying food, food

    Humans don’t cry so who cares about them. In the gas chambers they didn’t cry so it probably wasn’t that bad

    But look at the poor dog he must be starving!!!

    Oh, by the way, shchita has nothing to do with minimizing pain. its a myth. Shchita is because that’s how the torah wants it FYI