LEV188 Offerings shall not be slaughtered outside of the courtyard of the Beis HaMikdash. Hashem fixed one place where His nation would bring offerings and have their hearts particularly stirred to serve Him with devotion. Once designated, this place’s holiness and importance would inspire great fear of Heaven, so that more than anywhere else, people who would enter there would be influenced to the good. When bringing offerings there, people’s hard hearts would be softened and humbled to the Divine Will. There would be readiness to fully accept the Kingdom of Heaven, and for these reasons those who sinned would be able to gain complete atonement there. If someone brings an offering elsewhere, “it is considered as if he shed blood.” Hashem does not allow mankind to slaughter animals except for the sake of atonement for sin, or for the sake of food, medicinal purposes or other essential needs. On the other hand, to kill an animal for no reason is sinful destruction. Someone who does so is guilty of “shedding blood.” The same applies to someone who slaughters an offering outside of the courtyard of the Beis HaMikdash. His act serves no constructive purpose and his punishment is kares, “cutting off” of the soul.