Zohar on Tehillim 51 - Shechitah
Tehillim 51:19
- "Zivchei Elohim ruach nishbarah" - (a sacrifice to the Almighty—a broken spirit)
The Zohar HaKadosh explains that all sacrifices offered to G-d are offered to the Name "Havayah", which expresses the attribute of Mercy and Love, rather than to the Name of the Almighty—"Elohim", which expresses the attribute of Judgment. And although it is written, "A sacrifice to the Almighty is a broken spirit," - the text says: "Zivchei Elohim" (Shechitah for the Almighty), rather than "korban Elohim" (sacrifice to the Almighty), because only "Shechitah" (kosher slaughter) is performed for the sake of the Almighty. This is why Shechitah is performed on the northern side (Vayikra 1:11), for "tsafon" (north) is associated with the attribute of Judgment, expressed by the Name Elohim. Thus, Shechitah serves to weaken the attribute of Judgment—to "break its spirit," so that the attribute of Mercy and Love will prevail.
(Zohar, Vayikra 4b-5, Sulam)
