2,514. The Definition of "Tipping"

Hilchos Shechita 3:12

“Tipping” refers to a person who slaughters high on the trachea, where doing so is not valid. There are two bumps at the top of the trachea, by the large ring. Let’s say that someone performed ritual slaughter between these bumps. If even the smallest piece of them remained intact above the cut, the slaughter is valid because he slaughtered from the “hat” (the slanted cartilage at the top of the trachea) and down, which is inside the area that’s valid for shechitah. However, if no part of them was left intact and the shochet cut above them, it’s “tipping” and invalid.

Hilchos Shechita 3:13

If one cut the greater part of one sign in a bird, or of both signs in an animal, but he finished slaughtering with “stampeding” or “tipping,” it’s valid because the requisite measure was slaughtered properly. If the shochet initially cut a third of the trachea with “tipping” and the rest properly, the shechitah is valid. If he cut a third properly, a third with “tipping” and then a third properly, the slaughter is valid. If he initially cut a third with “tipping,” a third properly, and then a third with “tipping,” the slaughter is invalid. If one cut an animal’s throat with “stampeding” or “concealment,” the slaughter is invalid whether it’s the first third or the second third.