And the 84th mitzvah is that we are commanded to offer all sacrifices only in the Bais HaBechirah [the Temple].
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Only there shall you prepare all [the offerings] I have commanded you."
When [the Sages] wanted to prove that the prohibition against bringing sacrifices outside the Temple applies to all categories of offerings, they brought a proof from G‑d's statement2 (exalted be He), "Be careful not to offer your burnt-offerings in just any place." The Sifri3 says, "This verse only speaks of burnt-offerings. What is the source to apply this law to all sacrifices? It is the verse,4 'Only there shall you prepare all [the offerings] I have commanded you.' But one could still think that for a burnt-offering there is both a positive commandment and a prohibition, whereas for other sacrifices there is only a positive commandment! The Torah therefore says,5 'Only there shall you prepare ...' " as I will explain in the proper place6 when discussing the prohibition.
The meaning of [the Sifri's statement], "for a burnt-offering there is both a positive commandment and a prohibition," is that one who brings a burnt-offering outside the Temple breaks both a positive commandment and a prohibition. The prohibition is from the verse,7 "Be careful not to offer your burnt-offerings [in just any place]." And the positive commandment is from the verse,8 "Only there shall you prepare all [the offerings] I have commanded you," whereas he did not prepare his offering "there."
The meaning of[the Sifri's statement,] "Whereas for other sacrifices there is only a positive commandment," is that the person would transgress only the commandment, "Only there shall you prepare all [the offerings] I have commanded you." There [in the Sifri] it is explained that even other sacrifices come under the prohibition in addition to the positive commandment.
It is explained in the end of tractate Zevachim9 that all sacrifices which are offered outside [the Temple courtyard10] are covered by both the positive commandment and the prohibition and are punishable by kares.
Everything I have told you has therefore been explained, i.e. that the verse, "Only there shall you prepare all [the offerings] I have commanded you," is definitely a positive commandment.
