448. Sprinklers: The prohibition against eating sacrifices before sprinkling the blood

So, remember kodshim kalim, the sacrifices of lighter sanctity that could be eaten anywhere within Jerusalem (Mitzvah #445)? Well, those sacrifices were not permitted to be eaten until their blood had been sprinkled on the altar. This includes the korban shelamim (peace offering), the korban todah (thanksgiving offering) and others.

The reason underlying this mitzvah is that we should learn to subordinate our physical aspects to our spiritual sides. Our bodily urges may want to eat but we should first see our sacrifice through to its conclusion. It won't hurt our bodies any to wait until we take care of our souls' needs first!

This mitzvah applies in Temple times. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractate Makkos (17a-18b) and is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the seventh chapter of Hilchos Maaseh HaKorbanos. This mitzvah is #147 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.