DEUT576 Biblical consideration for animals was the basis for the following laws: … Animal meat processed for food may be eaten only when the animals are slaughtered in accordance with the law of ritual slaughtering, known as shechitah (traditional interpretation of vezovachto, [this verse]). Proper shechitah requires the cutting of the windpipe and gullet. The knife must be honed sharp and be free of any notches and indentations to prevent ripping of the throat. These precautions are essential to the minimizing of pain.