Numbers 18:4 "And a stranger shall not come near to you"

Have you ever seen a sign on a door stating: "Authorized Personnel Only"?

This sign, and others like it, warn those who do not have permission to enter a certain area to keep away.

This Negative Mitzvah serves as a "prevention sign" for all unauthorized persons in the Beit HaMikdash.

All those who are not priests are forbidden to carry out any service in the Beit HaMikdash.

Leviticus 22:21 "It shall be perfect to be accepted"

An animal brought as a sacrifice must be perfect.

The Torah defines different kinds of defects that disqualify the animal (see Negative Mitzvot 92-97) and commands us to offer only unblemished animals.

Leviticus 22:20 "Whatever has a blemish you shall not offer"

We are forbidden to offer any blemished animal (Ba'al Mum) as a sacrifice.

Leviticus 22:22 "You shall not offer these to the L-rd"

We are not allowed to slaughter animals that have blemishes for use as sacrifices (see also, Positive Mitzvah 61).

Leviticus 22:24 "You shall not offer to the L-rd..."

The service of sacrificing involves several different actions.

Part of this process requires the animal's blood to be sprinkled upon the altar.

This Negative Mitzvah forbids us to sprinkle the blood of a blemished animal on the altar.