2,564. Why Is This Prohibited?

Hilchos Shechita 8:15

If an animal’s feet are severed at the intersection of the sinews, it’s a treifa. Don’t be surprised that an animal is permitted if its legs are severed higher than the intersection of the sinews, since it’s permitted unless a leg is severed above the highest joint as has already been discussed, but that it’s prohibited if the leg is severed at the intersection of the sinews, which is lower. When it comes to treif animals, if one cuts at a particular spot, the animal will live and in another spot it will die. Here, we aren’t prohibiting the animal because its feet were severed at this spot; it’s because the sinews were cut. This is what makes it a treifa, as we will see IY”H in tomorrow’s halachos.

Hilchos Shechita 8:16

“Removed” refers to three limbs and organs that can render an animal a treifa even though it’s not a treifa if these things are punctured or if the animal is born without them. These are the intersection of the sinews, the liver and the upper jaw.