Torah Portion: Acharei Mos

“איש איש… אשר ישחט מחוץ למחנה…” (ויקרא יז ג)

It is a negative commandment to not slaughter offerings outside the Temple Courtyard, as it is written, Any man… who will slaughter an ox, a sheep, or a goat… and he has not brought it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting… it shall be considered as bloodshed for that man, he has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from the midst of his people (Vayikra 17:3-4).

Among the roots of the mitzvah is the idea that the Holy One designated a place for Israel where they can bring their offerings and which is conducive for them to direct their hearts to Him. And through having a designated place and increasing its magnificence and awe in the hearts of people, their souls are stirred for the good and their hearts are softened to fully accept the yoke of Heaven. Hashem, may He be blessed, therefore prevented us form performing the process of offerings elsewhere, but only in that Place so that our atonement will be complete.

The Torah states that if a person did slaughter an offering outside the Courtyard it shall be considered as bloodshed for that man, he has shed blood, for Hashem allowed the flesh of living creatures to humans only if it is necessary for atonement or human needs, such as for food, medical purposes, or some other specific human need. But killing creatures for no purpose at all is an act of destruction and it is called “bloodshed,” and since there was no benefit from that slaughter but only the damage of disobeying the commandment of his Creator, therefore the punishment the person deserves is kareis-excision.

The prohibition against slaughtering outside the Courtyard applies in all places and at all times. Even today, if a person slaughters an animal for sake of a sanctified sacrifice, he is liable for kareis.