על החוקים לפרטיהם, ספר א ל״דOn the Special Laws, Book I 34
א׳
1[166] All the animals selected must be perfect, with no affliction troubling any part of their body, scathless throughout and free from fault or flaw. In fact, so great is the forethought exercised not only by those who bring the sacrifices but also by the officiants, that the most highly approved of the priests, selected as most suitable for such inspection, examine them from the head to the extremities of the feet, both the visible parts and those which are concealed under the belly and thighs, for fear that some small blemish has passed unobserved.
ב׳
2[167] The examination is carried out with this excessive minuteness in consideration not of the victims offered but of the innocence of those who offer them. For the law would teach them under this symbol that when they approach the altar to offer either prayers or thanks they must come with no infirmity or ailment or evil affection in the soul, but must endeavour to have it sanctified and free throughout from defilement, that God when He beholds it may not turn away His face from the sight.
