4,062. Consecrating Unfit Animals

Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 3:9

Doves that are not yet developed enough to offer are like underage animals. They and pigeons that have grown beyond their time are all considered like blemished animals. Offering such birds doesn’t render one subject to lashes even though the offering is unfit and not accepted.

Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 3:10

If a person consecrates to the altar an animal that is of indeterminate gender, hermaphroditic, a treifah, crossbred or born via C-section, it’s as if he consecrated stones or wood in that the sanctity doesn’t embrace the animal’s physicality, which is considered secular in every way. Such an animal is sold and the proceeds are used to buy any type of offering one wishes. Such an animal is not considered as if blemished because offerings may be brought from the same species as blemished animal. [Blemished animals can be effectively consecrated and sanctity can be transferred to them.] However, if one consecrates an animal that had relations with a human, that a human had relations with, that was designated for idolatry, that was worshiped, that was paid to a prostitute or that was exchanged for a dog, it’s as if he consecrated an animal with a temporary blemish. Such an animal is left to graze until it develops a permanent blemish, at which point it can be redeemed. Similarly, if someone consecrates an underage animal, it’s like consecrating an animal with a temporary blemish. Even so, one is not subject to the penalty lashes, as we have discussed.

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