Vayikra 22:20

20 But whatsoever hath a mum, that shall ye not offer, for it shall not be for you leratzon (acceptable [before Hashem]).

Vayikra 22:20 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:20

For whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer
Which is the general rule, the particulars of which are after given, and which has been imitated by the Heathens. The Egyptians, as they only sacrificed the males of beeves, so they were very curious in examining them, that they might be entirely pure and perfect ^F19; and it was a custom among the Romans, that such sheep should be chosen for sacrifice, in which there was nothing wanting ^F20; and so, among the Grecians, Homer ^F21 speaks of perfect goats offered in sacrifice to appease the gods: for it shall not be acceptable for you;
be grateful to God, and accepted by him on their account, if blemished; see ( Malachi 1:13 Malachi 1:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 Heredot. Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 38.
F20 Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 4.
F21 Iliad. 1. ver. 66.

Vayikra 22:20 In-Context

18 Speak unto Aharon, and to his Banim, and unto kol Bnei Yisroel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the Bais Yisroel, or of the Ger B’Yisroel, that will offer his korban for any of his nederim, and for all his nedavot, which they will offer unto Hashem for an olah,

19 That it may be accepted on your behalf, ye shall offer a zachar tamim (male without defect), of the cattle and of the sheep, or of the goats.

20 But whatsoever hath a mum, that shall ye not offer, for it shall not be for you leratzon (acceptable [before Hashem]).

21 And whosoever offereth a zevach shelamim unto Hashem to fulfill his neder, or as a nedavah in cattle or sheep, it shall be tamim (perfect, without defect) to be accepted; there shall be no mum therein.

22 Avveret (blind), or injured, or charutz (maimed), or having an abnormal growth, or dry skin eruption, or running sore, ye shall not offer these unto Hashem, nor make an offering by eish of them upon the Mizbe’ach unto Hashem.