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Leviticus 17:13 - Cover blood, honor life's sanctity

Leviticus 17:13 - ויקרא 17:13

Hebrew Text

וְאִישׁ אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִן־הַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּתוֹכָם אֲשֶׁר יָצוּד צֵיד חַיָּה אוֹ־עוֹף אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל וְשָׁפַךְ אֶת־דָּמוֹ וְכִסָּהוּ בֶּעָפָר׃

English Translation

And whatever man there be of the children of Yisra᾽el, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, who hunts venison of any beast or bird that may be eaten; he shall even pour out its blood, and cover it with dust.

Transliteration

Ve-ish ish mi-bnei yisrael u-min ha-ger ha-gar be-tocham asher yatzud tzayid chayah o-of asher ye'achel ve-shafach et-damo ve-chisahu be-afar.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִ֨ישׁ אִ֜ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּמִן־הַגֵּר֙ הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצ֜וּד צֵ֥יד חַיָּ֛ה אוֹ־ע֖וֹף אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֑ל וְשָׁפַךְ֙ אֶת־דָּמ֔וֹ וְכִסָּ֖הוּ בֶּעָפָֽר׃
וְאִ֨ישׁ אִ֜ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּמִן־הַגֵּר֙ הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצ֜וּד צֵ֥יד חַיָּ֛ה אוֹ־ע֖וֹף אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵאָכֵ֑ל וְשָׁפַךְ֙ אֶת־דָּמ֔וֹ וְכִסָּ֖הוּ בֶּעָפָֽר׃

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Parasha Commentary

Covering the Blood of Hunted Animals

The verse (Vayikra 17:13) discusses the mitzvah of kisuy hadam (covering the blood) for wild animals and birds that are hunted for consumption. This mitzvah applies to both Jews and gerim toshavim (resident aliens) living among Bnei Yisrael.

Sources and Application

  • Rashi explains that this mitzvah applies specifically to chayos (wild animals) and ofos (birds), but not to behemos (domesticated animals), as their blood is already covered through the mitzvah of zerikas hadam (sprinkling blood on the Mizbeach).
  • Rambam (Hilchos Ma'achalos Asuros 6:1-2) clarifies that this mitzvah applies only to kosher species that are permitted for consumption, as the verse specifies "that may be eaten."
  • Chullin 84a discusses the requirement to cover the blood with dust or something similar that grows from the ground, emphasizing the connection to the earth.

Spiritual Significance

The Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 187) explains that this mitzvah teaches us reverence for life. Even when permitted to consume meat, we must acknowledge the gravity of taking a life by covering the blood, symbolizing humility before Hashem. The Kli Yakar adds that covering the blood prevents cruelty and desensitization, reminding us that hunting for sport is prohibited.

Practical Halacha

  • The blood must be covered immediately after slaughter (Chullin 83b).
  • The covering must be done with a material that is min ha'motzi (from the ground), such as dirt, sand, or ashes (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 28:1).
  • This mitzvah applies only when the animal is hunted; slaughtering a domesticated animal does not require covering the blood in this manner (Rambam, Hilchos Shechita 14:1).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 84b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of covering the blood of slaughtered animals and birds, emphasizing the requirement to cover the blood with dust as commanded in the Torah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 17:13 mean?
A: Leviticus 17:13 teaches that when a person (whether Jewish or a convert/stranger living among the Jewish people) hunts a permitted animal or bird for food, they must properly drain its blood and cover it with earth. This is part of the Torah's laws regarding the proper treatment of blood, which is considered sacred in Jewish tradition.
Q: Why is covering the blood with dust important in this verse?
A: Covering the blood with dust shows respect for the life that was taken, as blood represents the life force (nefesh) of the creature (based on Leviticus 17:11). The Talmud (Chullin 88b) explains that this act demonstrates humility and reminds us of our mortality ('for dust you are and to dust you shall return' - Genesis 3:19).
Q: Does this law apply to all animals or just certain ones?
A: According to Jewish law (based on Chullin 83a), this commandment applies specifically to wild animals (chayot) and birds (ofot) that are kosher and permitted for consumption. It does not apply to domesticated animals (behemot), fish, or non-kosher species.
Q: How is this commandment observed today?
A: Today, when slaughtering permitted wild game or birds according to kosher laws (shechita), the shochet (ritual slaughterer) drains the blood and covers it with earth or another substance like ash or sawdust. This is done immediately after slaughtering, before preparing the meat for consumption (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 28).
Q: What is the spiritual lesson we learn from this verse?
A: This verse teaches us the Jewish value of showing respect for all life. Even when we must take an animal's life for food, we do so with reverence and mindfulness. The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 3:46) explains that these laws help refine our character by cultivating compassion and preventing cruelty.