Not to inflict wounds upon dedicated animals
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This Mitzvah's Summary
It is forbidden to intentionally injure or create a blemish in an animal that has been consecrated for sacrifice.
This mitzvah prohibits striking, cutting, or otherwise injuring an animal that has been dedicated to the Mizbeach, thereby causing it to develop a blemish. Once an animal is consecrated, its sanctity is bound to the altar, and any act that renders it unfit is a direct affront to Hashem’s honor.
Rambam codifies this mitzvah as distinct from the prohibitions against offering blemished animals (336–342), emphasizing that it applies even if the animal was originally without blemish but later injured. Sefer HaChinuch explains that this commandment trains us to respect holiness and never to treat consecrated items lightly.
The Talmud teaches that causing a blemish to a consecrated animal is not only a ritual violation but also a symbolic act of disregard toward Hashem’s offerings. Ramban expands that damaging an animal dedicated to Hashem undermines the principle that sacrifices must represent the finest, whole, and unblemished.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Mizbeach 1:11): Prohibits intentionally creating blemishes in consecrated animals.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 292): Explains that damaging holy animals shows contempt for sanctity and dishonors Hashem’s service.
- Rashi (Lev. 22:20): Notes that animals with blemishes are not accepted, implying that making them blemished is itself a transgression.
- Talmud (Bekhorot 34a; Zevachim 25b): Discusses liability for one who intentionally mars consecrated animals.
- Ramban: Emphasizes that blemishes negate the symbolism of offering only the best to Hashem.
Commentaries
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 292) stresses that causing blemishes in consecrated animals violates holiness itself, as sanctity demands care and protection for all that is set apart for Hashem.
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- Rashi (Lev. 22:20) implies that any blemished offering is unworthy of the Mikdash. Inflicting wounds is therefore a direct violation of the Temple’s sanctity.
Mizbeach – מִזְבֵּחַ
- Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Mizbeach) teaches that the Mizbeach requires perfect offerings. Damaging animals prepared for its service defiles the altar’s honor and desecrates its sanctity.
Sacrifices – קָרְבָּנוֹת
- Talmud (Bekhorot 34a) discusses how damaging an animal renders it invalid for sacrifice. Korbanot symbolize offering the best to Hashem, a meaning destroyed by blemishes.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Ramban explains that harming holy animals displays a lack of reverence for Hashem. True awe requires care, not destruction, of what is sanctified.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- The law applies equally to all Israelites, whether rich or poor. Justice demands that no one may desecrate consecrated animals by blemishing them.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- This mitzvah shows that man’s relationship with Hashem requires respect and preservation of holiness. Damaging consecrated animals is a betrayal of that bond.
