Collection of four Shechitah knives (Chalif). Two housed in custom wooden cases, and two housed in custom cases marked “Schmotzer Janos, Budapest.” Length of knives: 19 and 12 inches.

GROUP OF FOUR RITUAL SHECHITAH KNIVES.

20th-century

The knife utilized by a Shochet in performing ritual slaughter must be handmade, its blade wholly sharp and smooth, with a flat end. Different animals require different knives: The chalif is approximately two-thirds the size of the animal’s neck. This collection of knives includes those suitable for shechitah for chicken, lamb and cow. Provenance: The late Rev. Chaim H. Zack, Eastbourne (East Sussex), England.