Halakha Keluaran 22:29: Mishneh Torah, Forbidden Foods & Sefer HaMitzvot

Wer vom Fleische einer Frühgeburt so viel als eine Olive groß verzehrt, wird gegeißelt, als hätte er von Gefallenem gegessen; aber auch ein naturgemäß geworfenes Kalb darf, bis zur achten Nacht nach der Geburt, nicht gegessen werden, da alle Tiere, die nicht acht Tage leben, als Frühgeburt betrachtet werden müssen; indessen steht auf den Genuss eines solchen Kalbes nicht die Geißelung. Wenn man aber genau weiß, dass die Mutter die volle Zeit hindurch damit trächtig ging, nämlich neun Monate für großes und fünf Monate für kleines Vieh gerechnet, so ist das Kalb schon am Tage der Geburt zu essen erlaubt.

That is that we were commanded that any animal sacrifice that we offer be eight days old or more - and not less. And this is [the commandment of] that which is lacking time in its body. And that is His saying, "it shall stay seven days with its mother" (Leviticus 22:27). And this commandment has already been repeated with a different language. And that is His, may He be exalted, saying, "seven days it shall stay with its mother" (Exodus 22:29). And this commandment completely includes all of the sacrifices. And there is a proof that it is not accepted before then from His saying, "and from the eighth day, it will be accepted as a burnt-sacrifice to the Lord" (Leviticus 22:27). Behold the prohibition of offering that which is lacking time has already been demonstrated. However it is a negative commandment derived from a positive commandment. Hence we do not give lashes for it. So one who sacrifices [an animal] which is lacking time does not receive lashes, as it is explained in the chapter [entitled] Oto ve'et Beno (Chullin 80b). And there, it is said, "Leave that which is lacking time, as Scripture rectified it by a positive commandment." And the regulations of this commandment have already been explained in the Sifrei and at the end of Tractate Zevachim. (See Parashat Emor; Mishneh Torah, Things Forbidden on the Altar 3).