IV. The Cutting of the (Innocent) Animals (2nd Step)

3 or more large animals are cut in half, lengthwise, and the pieces are placed lengthwise up against each other.

A. Marriage

Possible symbolism during the ceremony: The families and friends are seated on opposite sides of the room.

B. Torah

The covenant ceremony between G-d and Abraham:

Then He said to him, "I {am} the L-rd, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it." And he said, "L-rd G-d, how shall I know that I will inherit it?" So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror {and} great darkness fell upon him...And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the L-rd made a covenant with Abram... (Gen 15:7-18)

C. Nevi'im

The covenant ceremony between the Israelites and G-d:

And I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it... (Jer 34:18)

D. Contemporary Practice

In remote, tribal, areas of Africa, the lengthwise cutting of animals for the covenant ceremony is still practiced today.