Authorization as a Slaughterer

A written sanction for the ritual slaughtering of birds, to the maiden Isota, daughter of Elḥanan Iael Da Fano, from the slaughterer of the holy congregation of Mantua, Eliah, son of our teacher, the rabbi, Joseph of Forli:

Blessed be the Lord.

Many daughters have done valiantly (Proverbs 31:29) in their knowledge of the methods and laws of ritual slaughtering, but this honorable lady, Madame Isota—above women in the tent shall she be blessed (Judges 5:24)—the distinguished daughter of Elḥanan Iael of Fano, may his Rock protect and sustain him, has excelled them all (Proverbs 31:29). For she has girded her loins with strength (Proverbs 31:17) to understand and comprehend all its general principles and specifics, just as she learned them with me, the undersigned, both at length and in brief form. I further revised, examined, and quizzed her on them verbally, and she answered each question correctly. She has also slaughtered birds many times in my presence, and her hand was steady both with regard to the examination of the knife and the manner of slaughter. Therefore, I hereby grant her absolute permission to slaughter by herself, like all other expert women of our people. All those who are called by the name of Israel may eat from the meat she has slaughtered without concern that forbidden meat may have come from her hand without her knowledge. May the good Lord also spare her from errors and lengthen her days in happiness.

All of the above I have written and signed on this day, Thursday, 25th Kislev 5375 [November 28, 1614]; signed here in Mantua by myself,

In order that the land should not be lacking, and that each person shall go to his place in peace [see Exodus 18:23], I have been moved to attest to a true and just matter, regarding the honorable lady, Madame Isota—above women in the tent shall she be blessed—the distinguished wife of Menaḥem Mazliaḥ Foa, may his Rock protect and sustain him, that she is expert in the task of porging flesh [i.e., removing the forbidden fat, veins, and nerves], in all their details involving the back of the knife [?]. For I myself, not anyone else, have seen her [see Job 19:27] porge in accordance with the law and the halakhah on many occasions, and she has not altered from the order that I taught her by even as much as a hairsbreadth. Therefore, I hereby grant her absolute permission to porge by herself as much as she wishes, whether loins, thighs, or kidneys. Nobody may object to her, as she is an expert. May He who preserves the simple [see Psalms 116:6] guard her and spare her from errors, and may the purpose of the Lord prosper by her hand [see Isaiah 53:10]. Amen, on this day, Wednesday, on the weekly portion of and he was a prosperous man (Genesis 39:2; Shabbat Va-yeshev] 5384 [1623].