A Field Reference for Shechita

A Field Reference for Shechita is a comprehensive halachic guide designed for the working shochet and the serious student of Jewish slaughter law. Compiled by Drew Grim from years of study in primary texts, rabbinic responsa, and the live classroom teachings of R. Shlomo Zacharow, this volume follows the structure of the Beit David of R. David Kamin — the standard shechita training text in many Ashkenazic communities. Each chapter presents original Hebrew sources with English translation, a clear practical ruling, and citations, followed by study notes from class. Topics range from the biblical and Talmudic foundations of shechita to the five invalidating acts, knife inspection, covering the blood, and expanded sections on identifying kosher species, koshering meat, nikur (removing forbidden fats), treifot in fowl, bekhorot, and kapparot. This book does not replace the living teacher-to-student transmission that shechita requires. It is a field companion — organized for fast lookup in the slaughterhouse and thorough study at the table — for the shochet who must know the law by heart, apply it without hesitation, and continue learning throughout a career. Based on the Beit David (2nd ed., ed. R. Chaim Yosef Waldman, Zevach Tzedek / Torah Mitzion Institute, 2002). Follows the course syllabus of R. Shlomo Zacharow. 2025–2026 / תשפ״ו.