For the source text click/tap here: Chullin 20
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As we learned on yesterday’s daf the laws of sheḥita – ordinary ritual slaughter – and melika – the unique slaughter of birds as part of the Temple service – stand in contrast to one another. While sheḥita can only be performed on the front of the bird’s neck, melika can only be done on the back of the bird’s neck. Nevertheless, on today’s daf, Rabbi Yirmeya quotes Shmuel as teaching that there is one point of similarity between them. The area of the neck that is appropriate for sheḥita and melika are identical.
While comparing and contrasting these two methods of ritual slaughter, the Gemara makes reference to the fact that whether or not sheḥita is a Biblical requirement is, itself, a matter of disagreement (as we learned on yesterday’s daf, the Torah is clear about the requirement of melika – see Vayikra 1:14-17 and 5:8-10).
We explore the slaughtering of birds and the biblical rational as to why predators are prohibited, yet ducks kosher?