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Daily Mitzvah (Rambam)

Day 156: Negative Commandment 74; Positive Commandment 61; Negative Commandment 91, 92, 93

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Negative Commandment 74 (Digest)
A Non-Priest Serving in the Holy Temple

"And a stranger shall not come near to you"Numbers 18:4.

It is forbidden for anyone not of the seed of Aaron [i.e., a non-priest] to serve in the Holy Temple in the capacity of a priest.

Positive Commandment 61 (Digest)
Unblemished Sacrifices

"It shall be perfect to be accepted"Leviticus 22:21.

When offering a sacrifice, we are required to ensure that it is "complete"—devoid of any of the blemishes enumerated in the Torah (as well as those blemishes not written explicitly in the Torah, but included by Mosaic tradition).

The same is true regarding the wine libations and the oil and flour used in the meal offerings—they are to be of premium quality and free of any defect.

Negative Commandment 91 (Digest)
Designating a Blemished Animal for a Sacrifice

"Whatever has a blemish you shall not offer"Leviticus 22:20.

It is forbidden to designate (i.e., sanctify) an animal with a permanent blemish for a sacrifice.

Negative Commandment 92 (Digest)
Slaughtering a Blemished Animal for a Sacrifice

"You shall not offer these to G‑d"Leviticus 22:22.

It is forbidden to slaughter an animal with a permanent blemish for a sacrifice.

Negative Commandment 93 (Digest)
Sprinkling the Blood of a Blemished Animal on the Altar

"You shall not offer to G‑d"Leviticus 22:24.

It is forbidden to sprinkle the blood of an animal with a permanent blemish on the altar.

From Sefer Hamitzvot, published and copyright by Sichos in English. To purchase the Sefer Hamitzvot two-volume set, please click here.
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Daily Quote
And you shall write them [the words of the Shema] on the doorposts of your home and on your gates
  –Deuteronomy 6:9
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