who wouldn't sound so insincere. Or perhaps he himself shouldn't, in his position, sound so insensitive. Though where would we get more sensitive rabbis from?

amazing that a Rabbi seems more moved to comply with pressure from animal rights activists than with halacha itself, in which humane treatment of animals is so central. actually, not so amazing, thinking about it.... probably typical!

Accusations on this rabbi's part of anti-Semitism are beside the point. The point is, we Jews should hold ourselves to, and be held to a higher standard where it comes to compassion toward animals. Clearly this is a mandate in Torah. We Jews brought the Torah and it's compassionate requirements to the world, not the other way around. Anti-Semitism has nothing to do with cruelty, no matter who is responsible for it. I forced myself to watch this video. I don't care who brought this to our attention. This method of slaughter is horrendous; needlessly prolonged. The animals are clearly in pain and distress. The images are heart-rending to all but the most callous. That Rabbi Metzger pleads "anti-Semitism" does not lead me to respect this man. It does not redound to his benefit.

People actually boil lobsters while they're still alive, they're supposed to be tastier that way. It's horrible. I regret that I used to kill ants when I was a kid, but boiling lobsters alive is a whole diferent level of cruelty. And yet, people don't even think about it, even though it hapens immediately before they eat.

Levi old buddy, using the word "slaughter" evokes an Arab lying squatter foaming at the mouth about what the Jews have done to him, even thought he's still standing there spluttering. I'm sure Metzger said "SHECHITA", and this is the word you should have used for your HEADLINES. Well...don't I know that many Rabbis, those worthy people, aren't the brightest sparks in the switchboard, and maybe not even fully experienced in colloquial English, but........

He says: "these organizations are only heard when it comes to Jewish slaughter" That is an outright lie. Take a look at www.peta.org. Only heard when it comes to Jewish slaughter? The truth is that the likes of R' Metzger are only heard on the issue of cruelty to animals when they are forced into the eye of public scrutiny. Otherwise they don't give a damn, despite what Jewish law says on the matter. And then he tries to imply that it's an issue of anti-Semitism. Can the "esteemed" Chief Rabbi sink any lower??

The whole point of Kosher slaughter is based on the principal of 'Tzar Ba'al Hachayim" ie the abstinence of it. The whole method of jewish slaughter is based on not causing affliction on the animal. The knife alone is not enough to be strict on, the preparation is equally important. Remember halacha requires the knife not to have a single scratch or mark on it which adds to 'tearing' effect. So yes time all the authorities made sure we comply 100% that there should be no tzar baal hachayim - cruelty/pain on live animals.

It's not Rav Levi Brackman who wrote this . It's Sela . You are not the first to make this error .

In 2008, there are more humane methods, than so-called "Jewish slaughter" or "Kosher Slaughter". If Rabbi Metzger were truly concerned, he would demand that animals be stunned before slaughter. Religious reasons saying no to stunning are frivolous, archaic, and yes - cruel.

I do believe that the west has gone insane in relation to their furry mammals.

Become a vegetarian , then you may criticize Kosher slaughter [ and other ways too ] Animals are always stressed when they are brought to a slaughter house , they have a feeling that something bad is going to happen . And this has nothing to do with how they will be killed .

The kashrut conglomerates along with the rabbis who "supervise" them have been turning a blind eye for years when it comes the treatment of animals many kosher slaughterhouses. Most of them couldn't care less about humans let alone animals. In S. America the incidence of worker accidents due to the barbaric chaining and hoisting methods is very high. Yet Dr. Temple Grandin, a proponent of humane kosher slaughter , invented a simple, inexpensive and efficient method of setting up an animal for slaughter. The method maintains the animal in a calm state right up to the point of slaughter. Being used on kosher kill floors in Toronto, it results in kill rates of 10 seconds or better in 90% of each & every slaughter. This is a total WIN WIN method. It just requires re-education of both slaughterers, rabbis & consumers alike. But as long as there are callous and insensitive slaughterers and rabbis, our kosher food supply is tainted by unnecessary animal misery. This is sad because, as Dr. Grandin observed, kosher slaughter is the most humane of ALL methods when done correctly. In the end it is the consumer that dictates. So it is entirely up to us, not the rabbis, to demand change.

Yes Charles, I know that Sela wrote it, but Levi chose the headline. It's HIS article. All the same I can now note where one might "mis-see", which hadn't occurred to me when I wrote my letter.

Charles, frankly, I had another look at the article, even the "Israel Jewish Scene", from which it's indicated to have been taken, but this seems to be a word-for-word reproduction of the article in YNET, not an independent script, which makes it all less clear.. So, perhaps it isn't clear just how much is Sela's and what Levi edited or added himself. I don't know exactly what Levi Brackman's part is in the items he either writes or choses to extract and publish with his name significanly displayed. I may have done him an injustice. Perhaps you could clarify.

I took a brief moment to look at a few reports and it reminds me why I'm still a vegetarian. I tried watching a video, but the very first couple seconds with the animal just screaming-I couldn't watch it anymore. It makes me believe that the world is a worse place than what I'd thought. Anyways, If there are better ways of doing this, such as using boxes, etc. then it needs to get done. The rabbis need to get tough and say no more certification until the most serious problems get resolved.

Rabbi Brackman has his name above all the articles in Jewish scene . There were two other names also . Look at the other heads , opinion , culture etc . There are also always the same names . I don't know if they are responsible for what is printed . I would "write" to the author

Thank-you David, well said!

PETA was caught killing and dumping many pets using their kill mobile van. See www.petakillsanimals.com

well maybe metzger would simply think of just stopping killing animals, instead of thinking of more "humane" way of doing it? humane = not ot kill. as religious leader he shoul have the responsibility and explain people that they dont have to kill for food. there are 500 million people around the world who dont do it and leave healthy and happy life feeling strong fisically and moraly!

Are still there very strange people who still believe that cutting a throat with a knife and letting all the blood out doesnt hurt?? Well where the hell do they live? maybe in some parralel universe? Maybe they should try it on themselves or on their dog. If it's so humane and so unpainful method of killing so why wouldn't they use it to kill their dog, instead of putting it to sleep when it's very sick and cant be treated...

There are also millions who have'nt enough food , shall we stop eating ? If we want to eat meat , we have the right to do it . We have to kill animals ? let it be so , but let's try to do it the in a way the animals don't suffer too much . From now on , don't use products to eliminate ants , mosquitos and other insects , they also suffer .

So what is the correct method of slaughter for Jewish Beef?

crook...