4,058. Do Blemishes Disqualify Birds?
Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 3:1
Blemishes don’t disqualify birds for use as offerings – neither males nor females. This is because “a perfect male” in Leviticus 22:19 was only said in reference to animals. This is only the case with minor blemishes; if a bird’s wing got desiccated, or if it lost an eye or a foot, it may not be brought on the altar because a creature that is missing a limb is never offered. Similarly, if a bird suffered an injury that rendered it a treifah (meaning that it will die within a year) so that it may not be eaten, it is unfit for use as an offering.
Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 3:2
Small doves and large pigeons are unfit for use as offerings as per Leviticus 1:14: “from the doves and the pigeons.” [The term for pigeons is "b'nei yonah," suggesting youth. The implication is therefore that pigeons must be young and doves must be older.] A bird of either species is unfit when it starts to grow yellow feathers. Pigeons are fit for use so long as pulling a feather from the wing will cause the site of the pull to fill with blood. Doves are fit so long as they have a golden sheen.
Next In This Series
