The Kohanim must not eat the meat outside the Temple courtyard
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This Mitzvah's Summary
It is forbidden for the Kohanim to eat sacrificial meat outside the Temple courtyard.
The Torah commands that the sacrificial portions designated for the Kohanim must be eaten only within the sacred space of the Temple courtyard. This prohibition ensures that the sanctity of the korban remains bound to the Mikdash and is not diminished by casual use elsewhere.
Rambam explains that eating outside the courtyard invalidates the mitzvah and profanes the holiness of the korban. Sefer HaChinuch notes that confining eating to the Mikdash reinforces reverence for Hashem’s sanctuary and prevents misuse of holy meat. The Talmud describes this mitzvah as safeguarding boundaries, ensuring that holiness remains within its divinely designated place. Rashi clarifies that “in a holy place” means only within the confines of the courtyard, and Ramban adds that the eating itself is an act of avodah, which cannot be performed outside its sacred setting.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 10:7): States that eating sacrificial meat outside the courtyard is forbidden and invalid.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 408): Explains that restricting the location of eating instills awe and reverence for the Mikdash.
- Talmud (Pesachim 59b): Compares the Kohanim’s eating to altar service, binding it to the sacred space.
- Rashi (Lev. 10:13): Interprets “holy place” as the Temple courtyard, not beyond.
- Ramban (Lev. 10:17): Emphasizes that the eating completes atonement and must therefore remain within the Mikdash.
Commentaries
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 408) explains that confining sacrificial eating to the Mikdash safeguards its sanctity. Holiness is preserved when sacred acts occur only in their designated spaces.
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- Rambam (Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 10:7) codifies that eating outside the courtyard invalidates the mitzvah, showing the Mikdash itself defines the limits of holiness.
Mizbeach – מִזְבֵּחַ
- Talmud (Pesachim 59b) teaches that just as the altar service occurs only at the Mizbeach, the Kohanim’s eating is restricted to the Mikdash precincts, paralleling altar service.
Sacrifices – קָרְבָּנוֹת
- Rashi (Lev. 10:13) and Ramban (Lev. 10:17) stress that sacrificial eating is part of the korban process, not mere benefit, and must therefore remain bound to the holy space of the Mikdash.
Priests – כֹּהֲנִים
- Ramban (Lev. 10:17) explains that the Kohanim eat on behalf of Israel, and since this act finalizes atonement, they must remain in the sanctuary when doing so.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Limiting sacrificial eating to the Temple fosters awe for sacred service. The restriction prevents casual use and reinforces the seriousness of engaging with holy offerings (Sefer HaChinuch 408).
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- This mitzvah concerns man’s service to Hashem alone, emphasizing that korbanot and their consumption belong solely within the covenantal framework of Divine worship. (Rambam, Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 10:7).
