44. Things Forbidden on the Altar - Issurei Mizbeach
We are commanded that all animal sacrifices be free
of certain physical defects. It is forbidden to consecrate
an animal that has defects (even temporary ones) or to
cause a defect in a consecrated animal or to slaughter
it or to sprinkle its blood or to burn its parts on the
altar (even if it is a non-Jew's sacrifice), as it says
"you shall not offer anything that has a blemish... it
shall be perfect for acceptance, there shall be no blemish
in it... you shall not offer these to Ha-Shem and you
shall not make a burnt-offering of them on the altar...
you shall not offer them to Ha-Shem... and you shall not
offer your G-d's bread from any of these from the hand of
a stranger"1; and it says "You shall not sacrifice to
Ha-Shem your G-d an ox or sheep that has a blemish".2,a
If a permanent defect occurs in a consecrated animal
we are commanded to redeem it provided it is fit to eat,
as it says "[There you shall offer your sacrifices...]
but according to the desire of your spirit you may slaughter
and eat meat... [pure and impure together]".3 If a
consecrated animal has a temporary defect or
is unfit for sacrifice for other reasons it cannot be redeemed;
nor can a non-animal sacrifice be redeemed if it becomes
unfit or impure once it has been offered.b
It is forbidden to offer as a sacrifice anything that
has been used to pay for forbidden sexual relations or that
was traded for a dog, as it says "You shall not bring the
hire of a harlot or the price of a dog [to the house of
Ha-Shem your G-d]".4 An animal that has killed a
man or been used for idolatry or fornication is also unfit for
the altar or for any sacred purpose, as it says "For
their destruction is in them"5 -- anything that has been
used for destructive purposes is unfit. We can
offer animal sacrifices only if their species is certain
and they were born naturally and only when they are at
least eight days old (preferably, 30 days old), as it
says "If an ox or sheep or goat is born it shall be under
its mother for seven days, and from the eighth day onward
it shall be acceptable [as a burnt-offering to Ha-Shem"].6,c
It is forbidden to burn anything on the altar that
was not commanded. Anything that is the result of sin should
not be offered as a sacrifice; it is like a sacrifice that
has become unfit. It is forbidden to offer leaven or honey on the
altar for fragrance or together with any sacrifice, as it says
"For you shall burn no leaven or honey as a burnt-offering
to Ha-Shem... they shall not ascend the altar for a fragrant
odor".7 We are commanded to salt everything that
goes onto the altar (except for blood, wine, and wood) and
we are forbidden not to do so, as it says "And you shall not
eliminate the salt of your G-d's covenant from your flour-offering;
you shall offer salt with all your sacrifices"8;
but if this was not done the sacrifice is still fit
unless it is a flour-offering.d
All sacrificial things -- animals, wine, flour, oil,
wood -- must be carefully selected and free of defects, as
it says "They and their libations shall be perfect for you".9
One who wishes to gain merit should be liberal and should
bring a sacrifice of the finest quality; indeed, anything
done for the sake of G-d should be fitting and good, as it
says "All fat shall be for Ha-Shem".10,e
Sources: |
| 1. Lev. 22:20-22,24-25 |
a. 1:1-2,4-7,10; 3:1 |
| 2. Deut. 17:1 |
b. 1:10; 2:6,10; 6:4-5 |
| 3. Deut. 12:14-15 |
c. 2:9; 3:4,6-8; 4:1,7-8,14; see Maaseh ha-Korbanos 1:12 |
| 4. Deut. 23:19 |
d. 5:1,3-5,9,11-12 |
| 5. Lev. 22:25 |
e. 6:1-2; 7:11 |
| 6. Lev. 22:27 |
|
| 7. Lev. 2:11-12 |
|
| 8. Lev. 2:13 |
|
| 9. Num. 28:31 |
|
| 10. Lev. 3:16 |
|
