Shabbos Parashas Tzav - 5777

Shabbos Parashas Tzav - 5777

Rabbi Hal Miller

You shall not eat any blood in any of your dwelling places, whether from birds or

from animals. [Vayikra 7:26]

Our parsha is full of references to and uses for blood, but we are explicitly told not to

consume it. Most humans would reject the thought immediately, without a command.

What is blood that it should be specifically prohibited like this?

We know it has uses. Certainly it carries life to the various parts of a living body. The

Kohanim are commanded regarding sprinkling, dabbing, and throwing, for various

mitzvos, whether on the Altar or the investiture of the Kohanim themselves. The only

clear commandment of prohibition is eating it.

The command is tied closely with the prohibition of eating cheilev, which is a certain

fat from the animal. Many commentators learn laws of each in part from the other.

Rambam differentiates them, saying that the prohibition of Cheilev is for health reasons

but the prohibition of blood is to wean Israel from idolatry. People of the time considered

blood the food of spirits, and used it to try to tell the future. Ramban likes what Rambam

had to say, but calls it irrelevant, and follows the "life-force" path. Since Hashem created

all the creatures, it is up to Him to decide what to eat, and He forbade life-force. Rabbeinu

Bechaye adds to Ramban that the Torah specified that blood is to be brought on the Altar

or other mitzvos, and for no other purposes. It would strengthen the body of one who eats

it, thus the Torah informs us that Hashem will grant us strength without blood. Rav Dovid

Zvi Hoffman says that this command is actually one of compassion and mercy, from the

verse, "in order that it be good for you."

Abarbanel does not think any of these reasons is sufficient, but that added together, they

make sense. He goes through each argument with strengths and weaknesses, shows

how they add together, then gives his own view regarding animal blood giving animalistic

traits to one who consumes it.

Does this command apply today when there are no Temple mitzvos in play? Yes. The

fact that there has not been Altar sacrifices for 2000 years leaves us only the proper

treatment of blood to atone for our sins. The Torah clearly states that this will serve as

atonement for man. Without our observance of this prohibition, we have nothing to stand

for us before G-d in judgment.