According to chazal, and the Torah, humans are supposed to eat a purely vegetarian diet, as dictated by HaShem to Adam and Chava in Gan Eden. The eating of meat was a ‘concession’ made for Noach after the flood, when there were no plants to be eaten until new crops were grown.

But we are not in that situation anymore – there is an awesome abundance of food available to us now, without killing any animals. Therefore it, koshe would be ideal if all animal slaughter were banned, kosher and secular.

Having said that, if meat must be eaten, then I trust the wisdom of our Sages, the greatest minds in history, when they tell us that shechilta is the least painful way for an animal to die. Our Sages never made decisions lightly, but with great care and concern for all the implications and consequences.

We now await a strong response from our rabbinic colleagues.

Shechita has been a mainstay of Jewish ritual practice for over 3000 years and rabbinic commentators and scientists throughout the centuries have repeatedly proclaimed the practice one of the most humane methods of slaughtering animals.

Additionally, Judaism preaches “tzar baalei chayim” – avoiding inflicting pain on animals. There are many laws involved in this category, which space does not allow me to enumate.

By all means avoid eating meat if you want to avoid inflicting any pain whatsoever on animals, but do not accuse Jews of lacking in compassion for animals.