One of the mitzvot taught in Parshat Acharei Mot is the mitzvah to cover the blood of a wild animal or bird that is slaughtered, as the verse says,
“And if any Israelite or any convert who resides among them hunts an animal or a bird that may be eaten, that person shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the soul of all flesh—its blood is its soul. Therefore, I say to the Israelite people: ‘You shall not partake of the blood of any flesh, for the soul of all flesh is its blood. Anyone who partakes of it shall be cut off.’”
This mitzvah is performed whenever one slaughters a kosher bird or wild animal (e.g., a deer), in which case the shochet (or someone he designates) must cover the blood with earth or a similar substance, such as sawdust. One need not cover the blood of a kosher domestic animal such as an ox or a lamb.
The commentaries offer various explanations for this mitzvah. Here are ten of them:
1) Disrespectful to the Animal
The Sefer HaChinuch explains that, since the soul of the animal resides in its blood, it would be considered cruel for people to (butcher, cook and) eat the animal while the blood is uncovered and the soul is still “present.” In the case of domestic animals, these are (were) often offered as sacrifices, in which case the blood couldn’t be covered since it had to be sprinkled and poured on the altar. Rather than differentiating between different types of domestic animals, the Torah exempted one from covering any of their blood. In addition, although some birds can be sacrificed (pigeons and doves), since most birds cannot be sacrificed, the mitzvah applies to all fowl (except for the birds that are actually sacrificed).
2) To Make Sure We Don’t Eat the Blood
Several commentaries say that the reason for this mitzvah is to make sure that we don’t consume blood which contaminates one’s soul. This precaution isn’t necessary regarding the blood of animals whose blood is often sacrificed on the altar as the fact that it is dedicated to the A-lmighty is sufficient to remind a person that it cannot be consumed. This interpretation fits well into the text (see above). Instead, we bury the blood in earth indicating that the blood and the soul associated with it are related to the lower elements and that eating it can cause spiritual harm. Additionally, according to the Talmud, there should be earth beneath the blood as well as above it. This is like a burial for the animal’s soul.
3) Blood Is Sanctified to G-d
In a similar way, the Ramban writes that the blood of domestic animals, which contains the soul of the animal, is used in sacrifices to the A-lmighty. Since blood is associated with Divine worship, it is considered improper to consume blood for personal benefit. Instead, we bury it to ensure it isn’t eaten. This is similar to the animal fats of domestic animals which are forbidden (even in a non-sanctified animal) since they are G-d’s portion of a sacrifice. (The fats of wild animals don’t resemble the fats of domestic animals so there was no need to forbid them.)
The Lubavitcher Rebbe offers a deeper explanation: The blood represents a person’s energy and excitement. These should be devoted to serving the A-lmighty. When engaged in mundane matters, on the other hand, one should tame his excitement by “covering it” with humility, symbolized by earth.
4) To Stay Distant from Idol Worship
The Ibn Ezra says that, since these birds and wild animals generally cannot be sacrificed to the A-lmighty, one should cover their blood to emphasize that one isn’t planning to use this blood in an idolatrous ritual.
5) Not to Nourish the Demonic Forces
The Seforno explains that demons can get some kind of nourishment from blood which contains the soul of the animal. Since wild animals and birds are often slaughtered in the wilderness, which is a habitat for the demonic forces, we cover the blood to prevent them from getting such nourishment.
6) Not to Appear like Demon Worshippers
The Rambam writes that one of the idolatrous practices was to slaughter animals and eat the meat while the blood of the animal was pooled on the floor nearby. They believed that the demons would consume the blood, so by eating nearby they thought they could get a connection to those demons and receive some of their energy. As such, the Torah says to sacrifice the blood of domestic animals and cover the blood of wild animals and birds, to prevent the above practice.
7) To Quiet the Prosecuting Angels
The Ba’al HaTurim explains that the sight of blood can cause the prosecuting angels to argue that man (who is made of blood) has no right to consume animals (who are also made of blood). In the case of domestic animals, however, the fact that their blood was often sacrificed on the altar is enough to quiet such claims.
8) Shouldn’t Look Like Human Blood
Some say that the reason for covering the blood is so that it not should not seem that human blood was spilled in a murderous act.
9) Eating from Stolen Property
Since wild animals often eat from privately owned fields, the “atonement” for their “sin” is that their blood is covered in earth and it becomes fertilizer for those fields. This is similar to the halacha that a person who stole from many people and doesn’t know who they are, should use those funds to benefit the community.
10) Resembles the Jewish People
The Sefer Hakaneh explains that since these animals are kosher for consumption by Jewish people, they can be said to represent the Jewish people. As such, the blood is placed on earth and is covered with earth (see above). This indicates that one can be drawn downwards to earthly things, but in the end, one will be returned to earth and his soul will soar to heaven.
Kabbalisticly, the earth above the blood represents the level of Binah (Divine comprehension) while the earth below it represents Knesset Yisrael, also known as Malchut (Divine Kingship).
The Talmud says that we learn from this verse that one must cover the blood with one’s hands and not with one’s feet. This is the source that, in general, one must show respect for mitzvot and not denigrate them. The Sefer HaKaneh explains that the “honor” accorded to the blood symbolizes the honor that should be accorded to the Jewish people.
May we merit to serve G-d with energy and to tamp down our energy for mundane matters!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom Umevorach and a Chodesh Tov!
Copyright 2024 by Rabbi Aryeh Citron
