285. Factory Seconds: The prohibition against consecrating blemished animals as sacrifices

Any animal that has a physical defect may not be offered as a sacrifice. Not only that, it may not even be consecrated for use as a sacrifice, the act of consecration itself violating this prohibition. (Remember how God told Abraham to “bring his son up” as a sacrifice, which Abraham did even though he did not end up having to sacrifice Isaac? Similarly, our verse here says not to bring an animal with a defect near. As in the case of Abraham and Isaac, our verb here could be understood as meaning to sacrifice or as bringing to sacrifice.)

The basis of this mitzvah is apparent. A person’s sacrifice is intended to draw him closer to God. To offer an inferior animal thinking it’s “good enough” shows a serious lacking in the person’s service. This half-hearted attempt shows that he really hasn’t grasped the message that his offering is meant to convey.

This mitzvah applies to both men and women in all times and places. Even though we do not currently offer sacrifices, if a person were to consecrate a blemished animal, he would be in violation of this mitzvah. (Nevertheless, it does not appear in the Chofetz Chaim’s Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar.)

The prohibition against consecrating a blemished animal for use as a sacrifice is discussed in the Talmudic tractate of Temurah on page 6b. It is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the first chapter of Hilchos Issurei Mizbe’ach. This mitzvah is #91 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.