Animals Used for Sacrifices

is it true that lambs to be offered at sacrifice were treated differently than lambs for "general consumption" so to speak? If treated differently, did the special treatment start at birth and continue till sacrifice a year later?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

Let us begin with a word on the ancient sacrificial procedures.

Animal sacrifices are generally divided into four categories: the burnt-offering (olah), the sin-offering (chatat), the guilt-offering (asham), and the peace-offering (shelamim).

The first category, a burnt-offering was a sacrifice that was burned on the altar in its entirety. The second and third category, the sin- and guilt-offering, was partially burned on the altar, with the rest consumed by the Kohanim, the priests. The fourth, the peace-offering would be divided between the priests and the individual who brought the sacrifice for consumption.

Within the above-mentioned sacrifices there were different levels of sanctity. Some offerings were known as “kodshei kodoshim” and were considered to be the holiest. Among these restrictions was that such sacrifices could only be eaten within the Temple courtyard. Other sacrifices were known as “kodoshim kalim,” sacrifices of a lower level of sanctity and they could be eaten anywhere in Jerusalem.

So, to answer your question, yes, lambs used for sacrifices had much more complex rules on their slaughter, preparation, and consumption. So too, animals that were blemished were generally disqualified from being offered as a sacrifice.

Lambs, or any animal for that matter, which are used for “general consumption” have nothing more than the regular kosher requirements, such as proper slaughter, internal examination, and removal of blood.

In the time of the Beit Hamikdash there existed type of rabbinic ordination, semicha, known as the “Yatir Bechorot Yatir” semicha, which conferred upon the recipient the authority to make rulings on matters relating to animal sacrifices, such as approving or disqualifying animals as sacrifices.