2,529. Before the Obligation to Slaughter

Hilchos Shechita 4:17

When the Jews were traveling in the wilderness, they didn’t have to slaughter non-sacrificial animals. Rather, they could cut the head off or slaughter and eat them like other nations do. In the wilderness, they were commanded that one who wants to slaughter an animal should only do so for a peace offering as per Leviticus 17:3-5, “When a man from the house of Israel slaughters an ox... and doesn’t bring it to the Tent of Meeting (it’s considered spilled blood)... the children of Israel will bring their sacrifices... and slaughter these sacrifices as peace-offerings.” But if one wanted to behead an animal and eat it, this was permitted in the wilderness.

Hilchos Shechita 4:18

This law only to slaughter for sacrifices wasn’t intended to be forever, just in the wilderness when they could simply kill animals for food. They were commanded that when they entered Israel, simply killing animals would be prohibited and non-sacrificial animals could only be eaten after shechita. They could slaughter anywhere except the Temple courtyard as per Deuteronomy 12:20-21, “When Hashem your God expands your boundaries... you shall slaughter from your cattle and your sheep that Hashem your God has given you." This mitzvah – to slaughter and then eat – is intended for generations.