Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend


49. Sacrilege - Me'ilah

It is forbidden to derive benefit from sacred things (except for those parts of sacrifices that are eaten) or from things forbidden to oneself by a vow, as it says "You must not eat... the vows that you make".1 If one derives benefit from or damages a sacred thing in error he pays 5/4 of what he benefitted and brings a guilt-offering, as it says "If a person commits sacrilege against Ha-Shem and sins in error with the sacred things of Ha-Shem he must bring his sin-offering... and that [with] which he sinned of the sacred things he shall pay for and shall add a fifth to it...2. However, this prohibition does not apply to peace-offerings, firstborn, tithes, and the Passover; until after their blood has been sprinkled on the altar these sacrifices are called "holy in a minor degree". It is forbidden to do work with or to shear a sacrificial animal, as it says "You shall not work with the firstborn of your ox nor shear the firstborn of your sheep".3,a

Sources:

1. Deut. 12:17 a. 1:1-3,7; 2:1; 3:9; 6:1; Maaseh ha-Korbanos 1:17. On the "fifth" see Shevuos, Note c.
2. Lev. 5:15-16
3. Deut. 15:19


Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON SUKKOS:

View Complete List

A Perfect Cycle
- 5768

A Happiness of Oneness
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5758

Bullish Outlook
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5760

Email Sponsorship

The Time of Our Happiness
Rabbi Chaim Flom - 5768

The First Day of the Rest of the Year
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5764

Who was Moshe Rabbeinu?
Rabbi Pinchas Winston - 5759

The Everything Torah Book

Success is a Lifelong Effort
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5761

Safely Carried on the Wings of Eagles
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5761

To Sit in the Sukkah
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5760

ArtScroll

The Happiness Box
Rabbi Label Lam - 5760

A Reality Check
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5766

The Great Equalizer
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5759

Why Booths?
Rabbi Yehudah Prero - 5755

The Auction of The Year!
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5760

Learn to Love from the LULOV!
Rabbi Label Lam - 5765

Putting the Squeeze on Sin
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5764


Learning Events and Programs

Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base

Discussion Forum




Help

About Us

Contact Us


Enable popup menus


Download to my HandHeld


Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information