Kisui Hadam

After shechita of domestic livestock, would it be a mitzhvah to cover the blood though the Torah only specifies animals that have been hunted for the practice of this mitzvah?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

One will often be obligated to perform the mitzva of kisui hadam , covering the blood, after the kosher slaughter of an animal.  The mitzva applies to birds and wild animals. Kisui hadam is not performed when slaughtering domesticated animals.

The blood is covered with earth which symbolizes that life is fragile and we are all but “dust of the earth.” It is interesting to note that, according to most authorities at least, the mitzva of kisui hadam is an independent mitzva actually unrelated to the shechita. Some authorities, however, rule that kisui hadam is indeed a component or extension of the mitzva of shechita . [1]

The Midrash teaches that after Cain killed Abel, he didn’t know what to do with the body. G-d then showed Cain two birds, one of which went and killed the other. The surviving bird then dug a hole and buried the dead bird. It is from this episode that Cain, and by extension all mankind, learned that a dead person must be buried. In exchange for this educational demonstration, the birds were rewarded with the honor of having their blood covered following shechita . [2]

A blessing is recited before performing kisui hadam. [3] One who does not have earth handy to cover the blood after the shechita should not slaughter in the first place. [4] While the blood should be covered immediately after the shechita , [5] if, for whatever reason, one was unable to do so, the kisui hadam may still be performed and should be done as soon as possible. [6]

[1] Shach, YD 19:5; Taz, YD 19:6.

[2] Tanchuma, Bereishit.

[3] Rambam, Hilchot Shechita 14:1; YD 28:2; Darkei Teshuva , YD 28:16–18.

[4] YD 28:21; Rambam, Hilchot Yom Tov 3:1.

[5] K reiti U’pleiti , YD 28:1.

[6] Pri Megadim , YD 28:13; Arugot Habosem , YD 31.