4,044. Beginning Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach

Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 1:1

There is a Torah obligation for offerings to be unblemished and of the highest quality, as per Leviticus 22:21 states: “It shall be prefect for favor.”

Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 1:2

One who consecrates a blemished animal for use as an offering violates a Torah prohibition and is subject to the penalty of lashes for doing so, as per Leviticus 22:20: “Anything that has a blemish may not be offered.” According to our oral tradition, this is a prohibition against consecrating a blemished animal. If someone consecrates a blemished animal so that it should be sold and the proceeds used to pay for libations, he is nevertheless subject to the penalty of lashes because this is considered a disgrace to the offerings.