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Deuteronomy 12:21 - Sacrifices far? Eat at home.

Deuteronomy 12:21 - דברים 12:21

Hebrew Text

כִּי־יִרְחַק מִמְּךָ הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָשׂוּם שְׁמוֹ שָׁם וְזָבַחְתָּ מִבְּקָרְךָ וּמִצֹּאנְךָ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה לְךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ בְּכֹל אַוַּת נַפְשֶׁךָ׃

English Translation

If the place which the Lord thy God has chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the Lord has given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates to thy heart’s desire.

Transliteration

Ki-yirchak mimcha hamakom asher yivchar Adonai Eloheicha lasum shemo sham vezavachta mibkarcha umitzonecha asher natan Adonai l'cha ka'asher tziviticha ve'achalta bish'arecha bechol avat nafshecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּֽי־יִרְחַ֨ק מִמְּךָ֜ הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִבְחַ֜ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֘יךָ֮ לָשׂ֣וּם שְׁמ֣וֹ שָׁם֒ וְזָבַחְתָּ֞ מִבְּקָרְךָ֣ וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙ בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אַוַּ֥ת נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
כִּֽי־יִרְחַ֨ק מִמְּךָ֜ הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִבְחַ֜ר יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֘יךָ֮ לָשׂ֣וּם שְׁמ֣וֹ שָׁם֒ וְזָבַחְתָּ֞ מִבְּקָרְךָ֣ וּמִצֹּֽאנְךָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן יְהֹוָה֙ לְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוִּיתִ֑ךָ וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֙ בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אַוַּ֥ת נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

This verse (Devarim 12:21) is part of Moshe Rabbeinu's instructions to Bnei Yisrael regarding the laws of slaughtering and eating meat outside the Mishkan or Beit HaMikdash. The Torah permits slaughtering animals for personal consumption when one is far from the central place of worship, provided it is done according to halachic guidelines.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 12:21) clarifies that this verse refers to the permission to eat חולין (non-sacrificial meat) outside the Beit HaMikdash, as opposed to קדשים (sacrificial meat), which must be eaten in the Mikdash. He emphasizes that even when slaughtering privately, one must follow the laws of שחיטה (ritual slaughter) as commanded in the Torah.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchot Shechitah 1:1-2) derives from this verse that the mitzvah of שחיטה applies even to non-sacrificial animals. He explains that the phrase "כאשר צויתיך" ("as I have commanded you") refers to the detailed laws of proper slaughter, including the requirement to sever the trachea and esophagus.

Midrashic Insights

The Sifrei (Devarim 12:21) notes that this verse teaches the permissibility of eating meat for pleasure (תאוה) and not just for sacrificial purposes. However, the Midrash also cautions that this should not lead to gluttony, as the Torah later warns against excessive indulgence (Devarim 21:20).

Key Halachic Principles

  • Permission for Private Slaughter: When distant from the Mikdash, one may slaughter and eat meat without bringing it as a korban.
  • Requirement of Proper Shechitah: The animal must be slaughtered according to halachic standards, even outside the Mikdash.
  • Eating for Pleasure: The Torah permits eating meat for personal enjoyment, not just for sacred purposes.

Philosophical and Ethical Lessons

The Kli Yakar (Devarim 12:21) explains that this verse balances spiritual and physical needs. While the ideal is to connect meat consumption to divine service (through korbanot), the Torah acknowledges human nature by allowing private consumption—provided it remains within the framework of mitzvot. This reflects the broader Torah principle of elevating mundane acts (חולין) through adherence to halacha.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 17a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of slaughtering animals outside the Temple, emphasizing the permissibility of slaughtering and eating meat in one's own place when the Temple is distant.
📖 Zevachim 106b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sanctity of the Temple and the regulations concerning sacrifices, highlighting the distinction between sacrifices offered in the Temple and those slaughtered for personal consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 12:21 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 12:21 discusses the laws of slaughtering animals for meat when one lives far from the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). Since bringing sacrifices to the Temple would be difficult for those living at a distance, the Torah permits slaughtering animals for personal consumption outside the Temple, as long as it's done according to halachic (Jewish law) guidelines.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish law?
A: This verse establishes the concept of 'Shechita' (ritual slaughter) outside the Temple, ensuring that Jews can eat meat in a permitted way even when they cannot bring sacrifices to Jerusalem. The Rambam (Hilchot Shechita) elaborates on the proper method of slaughter, emphasizing that it must be done with respect and in accordance with Torah law.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 12:21 today?
A: This verse teaches that while the ideal is to serve Hashem in the holiest place (the Temple), He provides permissible ways to fulfill mitzvot (commandments) even when circumstances are less than ideal. Today, since the Temple is not standing, we rely on kosher slaughter (Shechita) to eat meat in a sanctified manner.
Q: How does this verse apply to modern kosher laws?
A: Deuteronomy 12:21 is the basis for the laws of kosher meat today. The Torah permits eating meat only when slaughtered properly (Shechita), drained of blood (as commanded later in the Torah), and prepared under kosher supervision. Rashi explains that even outside the Temple, we must follow strict guidelines to ensure the meat is fit for consumption.
Q: Why does the Torah mention eating 'to your heart’s desire' in this verse?
A: The phrase 'to your heart’s desire' teaches that once meat is prepared according to Torah law, it can be eaten freely (within kosher guidelines). However, the Talmud (Chullin 16b) notes that this does not permit gluttony—rather, it emphasizes that permitted meat should be eaten with gratitude and moderation, recognizing it as a gift from Hashem.