Glatt Kosher

Following the shechita, an animal undergoes an internal examination to ensure that there are no lesions, punctures, or signs of illness in its internal organs.[1] An animal with any such defects will be declared "treifa," and is not kosher, even if it was properly shechted.[2] Nevertheless, the only organs that one is truly obligated to examine are the lungs, as all other internal organs are assumed to be healthy unless there is reason to believe otherwise.[3] Indeed, normative halacha is in accordance with this view, and only the lungs of an animal are examined nowadays. 

If a lung is found to have a sircha, a mucous-type scab that commonly develops over a hole or wound,[4] the animal is automatically disqualified as “glatt-kosher,” and in many situations, it might actually render the animal treif, non-kosher, as well. This is because it is assumed that a sircha is likely to soon wear away thereby exposing the hole or wound in the lung. Such holes and wounds in a lung are usually fatal, causing an animal to become sick and die soon thereafter. While it is true that not all sirchot are the result of a hole or illness, and may simply be a healthy discharge from the lung, universal custom is to assume that the presence of a sircha is the result of a hole or illness. This is a precautionary measure in order to ensure that one does not come to confuse healthy sirchot with problematic ones.[5]

According to the Shulchan Aruch, a sircha of any size will render an animal non-kosher.[6] Other authorities, however, including the Rema, are more lenient and do not disqualify an animal based on the presence of a sircha -- if the sircha can be successfully removed without leaving a hole.[7] After the sirchot are removed, it is customary to immerse the lung in water in order to ensure that there are no holes in the lung. If there is a hole on the surface of the lung, the water on the lung would bubble. If it does, the animal is declared treif.

Sefardim have historically adhered to the strict ruling of the Shulchan Aruch and disqualify any animal that has any sirchot upon its lung, declaring the animal to be non-kosher. Ashkenazim, on the other hand, generally rely upon the lenient ruling of the Rema and allow the consumption of such an animal if the sirchot are successfully removed without leaving a hole in the lung. It must be noted, however, that many Ashkenazi authorities encourage one to conduct oneself stringently in accordance with the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch.[8] Nevertheless, there are ample grounds to rely on the lenient approach of the Rema should one choose to do so.[9]

Lungs that have no sirchot on them are considered to be “glatt-kosher,” while lungs that have sirchot that were successfully removed are considered to be “kosher.”[10] The word "glatt," means “smooth” in Yiddish, referring to a lung that was found to have no sirchot whatsoever. As mentioned, this level of kashrut is to be preferred. In Israel, the more commonly used term to refer to such meat is "chalak," which means "smooth" in Hebrew. It is interesting to note, however, that some kosher certifying agencies will designate an animal as "glatt kosher" even if there are one or two sirchot on the lungs as long as they can be successfully removed without leaving a hole.

It is taught that having an animal drink before it is shechted can reduce the chances of a sircha being found on the lung.[11] It also makes it easier to skin the animal.[12] The classifications of "kosher" and "glatt kosher" are only applicable to beef. As a general rule, lamb and deer must be “glatt kosher” in order to be kosher at all as one is simply not permitted to remove sirchot from the lungs of these animals.[13] Poultry is generally not subject to an inspection of the lungs, though some kosher certifying agencies do indeed check the lungs of poultry and then classify them accordingly.[14]

One who is careful to only eat glatt kosher meat is permitted to use dishes and other cooking utensils that were used for “regular” kosher meat.[15] So too, in a somewhat controversial ruling, Rav Ovadia Yosef ruled that one who is generally careful to eat only glatt kosher meat is permitted to eat meat in the home of one who is not necessarily particular to eat only glatt kosher meat. Furthermore, such a person is not even required to inquire whether the meat that he is being served is glatt kosher.[16]

[1] See Chullin 42a-59a; YD 29-60.

[2] Shmot 22:30.

[3] YD 39:1; Shach, YD 39:1.

[4] Rashi, Chullin 46b.

[5] Aruch Hashulchan, YD 39:22,23.

[6] YD 39:10.

[7] Rema, YD 39:13.

[8] Be'er Heitev, YD 39:30. See also Yabia Omer, YD 5:3.

[9] Pitchei Teshuva, YD 39:14; Chatam Sofer, YD 39.

[10] Kaf Hachaim, YD 39:222.

[11] Beitza 40a.

[12] Shabbat 45b, Rashi.

[13] Rema, YD 39:13.

[14] See: Darkei Teshuva, YD 39:14; Teshuvot V’hanhagot 2:369; Igrot Moshe, YD 1:19.

[15] Radvaz 4:296; Igrot Moshe, YD 4:6.

[16] Yabia Omer 5:3.