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The photograph shows the half-figure of an elderly man, Zygmunt-Srul Warszawer. The man supports his head with his hand. His head and shoulders are covered with a tallit and his face is surrounded by an atarah sewn to the top of the tallit. A fragment of a white collar and a light-coloured sweater shows from under the tallit. A dark outer garment (jacket?) can be seen on the shoulders. | The photo was taken during prayers at Warsaw's Nożyk Synagogue. Zygmunt-Srul Warszawer ran a kosher butcher shop in Warsaw. He served as a shochet (Hebrew; Yiddish: szojchet) – he engaged in the ritual slaughter of animals – shchita (Hebrew: שחיטה). | According to Jewish tradition, the ritual slaughter of animals and birds involves the rapid cutting of the throat and bleeding of the animal. The absence of blood is one of the basic principles without which the meat does not meet the laws of Kashrut. The ritual slaughter is carried out by a shochet (szochet/szojchet) – an adult male Jew approved for this position by the rabbinical authorities. The blade of the knife with which the slaughter is carried out must be perfectly smooth. Any chipping can invalidate the ritual. Before cutting the throat, the shochet always recites the blessing. He also examines the internal organs to see if there are any signs of disease or damage. | In order for a new shochet to be admitted to office, he must fulfil a number of conditions. The most important criterion is his religiousness. He should be a member of the community known for his piety and Talmudic knowledge, meticulously observing religious law (hence the exclusion of Karaites and dissenters). Also, each young shochet is expected to conduct himself impeccably and not to abuse alcohol. Further criteria were health and manual dexterity, which were intended to ensure that the animal died as quickly as possible. According to custom, the shochet must be at least 18 years old. | Marta Frączkiewicz