Negative Mitzvah 94: We are forbidden to burn portions of a blemished
animal upon the altar
Leviticus 22:22 “Nor (shall you) make an offering by fire of them upon
the altar to the L-rd”
Certain parts of an animal that is sacrificed must be consumed by fire
on the altar.
We are forbidden to place any portion of a blemished animal on the
altar to be burned.
(It should be noted that the Negative Mitzvot mentioned in 91-94 deal
with an animal that has permanent blemishes.)
* * *
Negative Mitzvah 95: We are forbidden to offer animals with temporary
blemishes as sacrifices
Deuteronomy 17:1 “You shall not sacrifice to the L-rd your G-d any ox
or sheep in which there is a blemish”
This Negative Mitzvah forbids us to offer as a sacrifice even an
animal whose blemish is temporary.
* * *
Negative Mitzvah 96: We are forbidden to offer blemished animals
presented by a non-Jew as sacrifices
Leviticus 22:25 “Neither from a foreigner’s hand may you offer the
bread of your G-d from any of these”
HaShem gave seven basic Mitzvot to the non-Jewish people, which are
known as “the Seven Commandments of the Children of Noah”.
Among these Mitzvot is the Mitzvah in which they are commanded to
believe in one G-d, Creator of the Universe.
Many non-Jewish people do believe in HaShem.
The Torah gave them the opportunity to express their belief by
offering sacrifices in the Beit HaMikdash.
In this Negative Mitzvah the Torah tells us that animals which have
been brought by non-Jews for sacrifice in the Beit HaMikdash may not
have any blemishes.
Just as we are forbidden to offer a blemished animal presented by a
Jew as a sacrifice, so, too, we are forbidden to offer a blemished
animal presented by a non-Jew as a sacrifice.
* * *
Negative Mitzvah 97: We are forbidden to cause blemishes in animals
that have been designated for sacrifice
Leviticus 22:21 “No blemish shall be in it”
We are cautioned not to make a blemish in an animal that has been
designated to be offered as a sacrifice.
* * *
Positive Mitzvah 86: Redeeming a Blemished Animal designated for an
Offering
Deuteronomy 12:15 “Nonetheless, you may slaughter animals and eat
their meat to your heart’s desire”
An animal that was designated to be sacrificed to HaShem is considered
special and holy.
It must not have any type of blemish, since a blemish makes it unfit
for sacrifice. Should it develop a blemish, it cannot be offered as a
sacrifice.
Since the blemished animal was considered special, because it was
originally designated as a sacrifice, it must be redeemed. (See
Negative Mitzvot 92-97.)
The Torah commands us to choose a different animal for the sacrifice
in place of the first. This is called “redeeming” the first animal.
Afterwards, the first one can be eaten like any other animal.
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NOTE: This brings up a Major Difference between Judaism and Christian doctrines. In Christianity their belief of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is a human, Judaism is only allowed animals, birds, foods, vegetation and spices. So I have to ask myself, since scriptures are very clear that we are not allowed to sacrifice a human at all like the worshipers of Baal, then how can the church “square” the idea that a human can be sacrificed. It just does not at all match the original scriptures found in the Tanak (or in the Christian Bible of the Old Testament). I ask that if you know anyone who is of this belief, just ask them about their best understanding and view on the human verses animal/vegetable or spices. As we can see above, there is to be no injury either, not even a “BLEMISH”. So that makes the 2nd question to the Christian communities. “How can his sacrifice be valid if he was basically beaten to a point of blood and injuries?”
This year Passover starts on the evening of Palm Sunday. and is still going for the 8 days past Easter. I think that this is a great opportunity for us to get them to think beyond what they are told or what they think. As my Catholic friends tell me “We all believe in the same G-d”. . So if that is so, then how can we say that all the sudden a damaged, human can be a sacrifice? Please be very kind and do not upset them, as you are questioning them. Remember you may have come out of that religion yourself. Your doing this in LOVE your Neighbor as YOURSELF!
miryamdevorah 