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Leviticus 17:4 - Unauthorized slaughter's severe consequence?

Leviticus 17:4 - ויקרא 17:4

Hebrew Text

וְאֶל־פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לֹא הֱבִיאוֹ לְהַקְרִיב קָרְבָּן לַיהוָה לִפְנֵי מִשְׁכַּן יְהוָה דָּם יֵחָשֵׁב לָאִישׁ הַהוּא דָּם שָׁפָךְ וְנִכְרַת הָאִישׁ הַהוּא מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֹ׃

English Translation

and brings it not to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed to that man; he has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

Transliteration

Ve-el-petach ohel moed lo hevi'o lehakriv korban la'Adonai lifnei mishkan Adonai dam yehashev la'ish hahu dam shafach venichrat ha'ish hahu mikerev amo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶל־פֶּ֜תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד֮ לֹ֣א הֱבִיאוֹ֒ לְהַקְרִ֤יב קׇרְבָּן֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י מִשְׁכַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֑ה דָּ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֞ב לָאִ֤ישׁ הַהוּא֙ דָּ֣ם שָׁפָ֔ךְ וְנִכְרַ֛ת הָאִ֥ישׁ הַה֖וּא מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמּֽוֹ׃
וְאֶל־פֶּ֜תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד֮ לֹ֣א הֱבִיאוֹ֒ לְהַקְרִ֤יב קׇרְבָּן֙ לַֽיהֹוָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י מִשְׁכַּ֣ן יְהֹוָ֑ה דָּ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֞ב לָאִ֤ישׁ הַהוּא֙ דָּ֣ם שָׁפָ֔ךְ וְנִכְרַ֛ת הָאִ֥ישׁ הַה֖וּא מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמּֽוֹ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Source and Context

This verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 17:4, within the broader discussion of the prohibition of slaughtering animals outside the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah emphasizes that all sacrificial animals must be brought to the entrance of the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) and slaughtered there as an offering to Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 17:4) explains that this prohibition applies specifically when the Mishkan is standing and the people are encamped around it. The phrase "דם יחשב לאיש ההוא" ("blood shall be imputed to that man") means that one who slaughters an animal outside the Mishkan is considered as if he has shed human blood. Rashi further clarifies that this severe judgment applies because the person has disregarded the sanctity of the sacrificial service, effectively treating the blood of a korban (offering) with contempt.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Hilchos Ma'aseh HaKorbanos (Laws of Sacrificial Procedure 19:1), the Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this prohibition, stating that slaughtering a sacrificial animal outside the Mishkan (or later, the Beis HaMikdash) is a capital offense punishable by kareis (excision). He emphasizes that this applies only to animals that are fit for sacrifice, not to non-sacrificial animals.

Talmudic Analysis

The Gemara in Zevachim (106b) discusses this verse in detail, deriving that the prohibition applies only when the Mishkan is functional and centralized worship is required. The Talmud also connects this law to the broader principle of shechutei chutz (slaughtering outside the designated place), which is considered a severe transgression akin to idolatry.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifra (a halachic midrash on Vayikra) elaborates on the phrase "ונכרת האיש ההוא מקרב עמו" ("that man shall be cut off from among his people"), teaching that this refers to being cut off both in this world and the World to Come. The Midrash emphasizes the gravity of disregarding the sanctity of the Mishkan and the korbanos system.

Key Halachic Principles

  • The prohibition applies only to animals that could be brought as korbanos.
  • It is in effect only when there is a centralized place of worship (Mishkan or Beis HaMikdash).
  • The punishment of kareis reflects the severity of undermining the sacrificial system.
  • This law reinforces the concept of kedushas hamakom (sanctity of the designated place of worship).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 17:4 mean?
A: Leviticus 17:4 teaches that if someone slaughters an animal for sacrifice but does not bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting (the Mishkan) to offer it properly to Hashem, it is considered as if they shed blood. This is a serious sin, and the person will be spiritually 'cut off' (karet) from the Jewish people. Rashi explains that this emphasizes the importance of centralized worship and proper sacrificial procedures.
Q: Why is bringing a sacrifice to the Mishkan so important?
A: The Torah requires sacrifices to be brought to the Mishkan (and later the Beit HaMikdash) to ensure proper reverence for Hashem and to prevent improper worship practices. Rambam (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot) explains that this centralization prevents idolatrous practices and maintains the sanctity of sacrificial service. Offering sacrifices elsewhere was associated with pagan customs, which the Torah strictly forbids.
Q: What does 'cut off from among his people' (karet) mean?
A: The punishment of 'karet' (being cut off) mentioned in Leviticus 17:4 refers to a severe spiritual consequence, either premature death or being deprived of a portion in the World to Come (Olam Haba). The Talmud (Makkot 23a) discusses that karet can sometimes be atoned for through repentance and Yom Kippur, but intentional violations of Torah law carry serious ramifications.
Q: Does Leviticus 17:4 apply today without the Temple?
A: While we no longer have the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) to bring sacrifices, the principle behind this verse still teaches us about proper devotion to Hashem. The Talmud (Berachot 32b) explains that prayer replaces sacrifices in our time, and we must approach prayer with the same seriousness and intention as bringing an offering. The sanctity of centralized worship remains a foundational Jewish value.