Animal cleanliness and sacrifice by the early Hebrews

Ovim radom prikazane su čiste i nečiste životinje i životinje za žrtvovanje i klanje u starih Hebreja. S obzirom da su Hebreji na svojim početcima bili narod nomadskih pastira, svakodnevni život bio im je neraskidivo povezan sa životinjama. U tom kontekstu ispunjava se uloga domaćih životinja, posebno goveda, ovaca i koza, za prehranu naroda kao i za obrede žrtvovanja životinja. Za razmatranja korišten je starozavjetni biblijski zapis Tore – Zakona, a ponajviše knjiga Levitskog zakonika. U njoj su propisane čiste i nečiste životinje, čiji opravdani i praktični aspekt vidimo u prevenciji trovanja i pojave te širenja bolesti. S obzirom na to da su životinje za žrtve morale biti bez mana, nedostataka u fizionomiji, gotovo savršene po fenotipu, zaključuje se da su ih pastiri odabirali, selekcionirali na poželjna svojstva. Tu je vidljiva i inspekcija te je prisutna i kastracija životinja. Kroz zapis u Talmudu pojašnjen je pojam košer klanja i košer životinja, čija se opravdanost vidi kroz zdravu prehranu i obzirnost prema životinjama. U razmatranim zapisima ističe se visoki stupanj svijesti i odgovornosti prema Bogu i njegovim zakonima, bližnjih i životinja, posebice prilikom uzgoja i klanja.This study discusses animal cleanliness and sacrifice by the Early Hebrews. The Hebrews were initially a nomadic nation of shepherds, and their daily life was closely interconnected with animals. In this context, the role of domestic animals, mostly cattle, sheep and goats, was to serve as food for the people, and for use in the rituals of animal sacrifice. The Old Testament biblical record in Torah – The Law was consulted, primarily the book of Leviticus. In it, animals were regulated as clean or unclean, and justification for this regulation can be seen in the prevention of poisoning, and the occurrence and spread of disease. Since animals for sacrifice were required to be without fault, without any imperfections in physiognomy, and almost perfect in phenotype, the conclusion is that shepherds selected animals based on desirable features. The inspection and castration of animals was also present. The Talmud record defines the concept of kosher slaughter and kosher animals and its purpose can be seen in healthy nutrition and in care for animals. The records depict a high awareness of and responsibility to God and His laws, and towards people and animals, especially during breeding and slaughtering