Pisqa’ 147¹⁶

1. “Do not slaughter for HASHEM your God an ox or a sheep” (Dt. 17:1). R. Judah says: Is it possible to say that one who takes the life of a Purification-offering in the southern quadrant [of the Courtyard, instead of to the north of the Altar] has transgressed a proscription? The Teaching states: “Do not slaughter . . . an ox or sheep upon which there is a blemish” (Dt. 17:1)— On account of the blemish he transgresses a proscription. But one who merely slaughters a Purification-offering in the southern quadrant does not transgress a proscription. But sages say: Even one who takes the life of a Purification-offering in the southern quadrant has transgressed a proscription.

footnotes: ¹⁶ H:185-186; JN2:7.

2. Is it possible to say that one who slaughters consecrated animals out of sequence—¹⁷ by presenting a Holocaust-offering before a Purification-offering, or a Paschal lamb before a Perpetual-offering,¹⁸ and tamid on the eve of Passover is defned at M. Pes.5:1. or Supplementary festival-offerings ¹⁹ before Perpetual-offerings — has transgressed a proscription? The Teaching states: “You may not eat within your gates the Tithe of your grain, your must, or your oil, or of the Firstlings of your herds and flocks, or any Vow-offerings you might avow” (Dt. 12:17). [And in another place it states]: “You may not slaughter the Paschal lamb in one of your gates that HASHEM your God is giving you” (Dt. 16:5). [And it states here as well]: “Do not slaughter for HASHEM your God an ox or a sheep upon which there is a blemish” (Dt. 17:1)— on account of these [consecrated offerings] he has transgressed a proscription, but one who slaughters consecrated animals out of sequence has not transgressed a proscription.

footnotes: ¹⁷ The order of offerings assumed by the editors of Sifre appears at M. Zev.10:1-2. ¹⁸ The proper sequence of the pesakh ¹⁹ Statutory offerings for the Sabbath, New Moon, and the festivals (see Nu. 28:1-29:39).

3. “Upon which there is a blemish” (Dt. 17:1). I might infer only that [an animal is disqualified as an offering] if it was born unblemished but later suffered a blemish. How do I know to include under the rule **one born blemished from its mother’s womb?**²⁰

**“Any serious matter”**²¹ (“blemish”), while Sifre reads davar (“matter”). (Dt. 15:21)— [including birth defects].

footnotes: ²⁰ A list of congenital defects that disqualify Firstlings is available at M. Bech.6:1-7. ²¹ The Masoretic text reads mum

How do I know to include an animal suffering from scabs, warts, or tumors?

“A blemish, any serious matter” (Dt. 15:21)— [including diseased animals] . How do I know to include one suffering from old age, sickness, or a foul smell?

“An ox or a sheep” (Dt. 17:1)— [any of these conditions disqualifies oxen or sheep]. “Any serious matter” (Dt. 15:21)— [that renders the animal disgusting]. ²² 126.1.

footnotes: ²² Cf. Pisqa’

4. Regarding consecrated animals that were slaughtered outside their proper time or place— how do I know that [the slaughterer] transgresses a proscription? ²³).” The Teaching states: “Any serious matter” (Dt. 17:1)— [its disqualification] depends upon the matter at hand.

footnotes: ²³ See M. Zev.2:3: “This is the general rule: the slaughterer, the recipient of blood, the conveyor of blood, and the sprinkler of blood . . . outside its proper place, it is disqualified,,,, outside its proper time, it is like filth (pigul

Regarding an animal mated with a woman or a man, or one set aside for use [in a foreign cult], or [a consecrated animal] that was worked— how do I know that [they are disqualified]?

**“It is abominable to HASHEM your God” (Dt. 17:1).**²⁴ par. 2:7; SZ, shelakh, 15:3. Regarding an animal given [in payment for sexual services], or [one purchased for] the price of a dog, or [the offspring of] incompatible-species, or a mauled animal [that is sure to die], or one born from its mother’s side— how do I know that **[they are disqualified]?**²⁵ The Teaching states: “For it is abominable” (Dt. 17:1). R. Judah says: the animal is abominable, but its offspring is not abominable.²⁶

footnotes: ²⁴ Cf. Sifra, nedava’, ²⁵ Cf, M. Tem. 6:1-3. ²⁶ Therefore, the offspring of an abomination may be offered in satisfaction of a sacrificial obligation.

5. R. Shimon says: Since we find that an animal mated with a woman or a man is disqualified [from satisfying one’s sacrificial obligation]— is it possible to say that this also applies to the human partner [who may be disqualified from meeting his or her obligation even with a suitable animal]? The Teaching states: “It is abominable” (Dt. 17:1)— I have spoken about the slaughtered one, but I have not spoken about the slaughterer!