The Torah in Parashat Ahareh-Mot (Vayikra 17:1-4) warns that one who slaughters an animal sacrifice outside the Azara (courtyard of the Bet Ha’mikdash) is liable to Karet (eternal excision from the Jewish Nation). Interestingly, the Torah does not directly forbid slaughtering a sacrifice outside the Bet Ha’mikdash, but only warns that this act is punishable by Karet. Now there is a general rule that the Torah does not punish without issuing a prohibition forbidding the act for which it warns of punishment. The question thus arises as to how the Torah could warn of punishment for slaughtering a sacrifice outside the Bet Ha’mikdash if it never issued a prohibition against such an act. The Gemara explains that the Torah in a separate context forbids placing a sacrifice on an altar outside the Bet Ha’mikdash, and the offering of a sacrifice on the altar is linked to the slaughtering. As such, the prohibition against placing the sacrifice on the altar outside the Bet Ha’mikdash is extended to forbid slaughtering a sacrifice outside the Bet Ha’mikdash. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that the reason for this Misva is because G-d designated one particular site as the place for the offering of sacrifices, in order for people to be moved and inspired by the awe and sanctity of that site. If it were permissible to offer sacrifices anywhere, then people would have less esteem for the Bet Ha’mikdash, and then the experience of visiting the site would be less impactful. The Torah warns in this context that if one slaughters a sacrifice outside the Bet Ha’mikdash, then “Dam Ye’hasheb Le’ish Ha’hu, Dam Shafach” – “This will be considered like bloodguilt for that person; he has spilled blood.” In a certain sense, this person is guilty of murder. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that G-d allowed killing animals only for our practical needs – such as eating – and for atonement through the offering of sacrifices. Killing an animal for no reason, however, is wrong. Therefore, if a person slaughtered an animal outside the Bet Ha’mikdash, where this is forbidden, then he has shed blood, taking an animal’s life for no valid, constructive purpose. One violates this prohibition and is liable to Karet once he slaughters the sacrifice, even if the animal is later offered on the altar in the Bet Ha’mikdash. This prohibition applies only to animal sacrifices which are suitable to be offered. If an animal is, for whatever, unfit as a sacrifice, then slaughtering it outside the Bet Ha’mikdash does not transgress this prohibition. This prohibition applies in all locations and in all times, even nowadays. If an animal is consecrated as a sacrifice, and somebody slaughters it, he has transgressed this prohibition. If one slaughtered the animal with the intention of transgressing this prohibition, he is liable to Karet, and if he committed the violation unintentionally, then he is required to offered a Korban Hatat (sin-offering).