Demons are spiritual beings invisible to the human eye, which may harm men when they are disobedient to the Eternal. Some of the sons of Israel had the custom, which they had learned in Egypt, of sacrificing animals to demons. The Eternal categorically forbade this practice for all generations to come. To end this custom, the people were commanded to do all animal slaughter at the door of the tabernacle during their stay in the desert. This commandment was temporary and when crossing to the land it wasn't valid anymore, except for the prohibition of sacrificing to demons.

We can learn two things from this. First, we see that the Eternal is jealous and He calls fornication or prostitution all sacrifice to other spiritual forces. This teaches us that sacrifices can only be given to the Creator of all things. Any sacrifice to other supernatural forces is spiritual prostitution and has very negative consequences.

Secondly, we see that all kinds of spiritual sacrifice have to be presented to the priest at the tabernacle's door. Prayers are a kind of spiritual sacrifice. This teaches us that all prayer has to be channeled by the tabernacle's gate, where there is a priest, so it's accepted by the Eternal. This is a very beautiful teaching about Him Who is "the door" and "the priest", outside of whom no one can come to the Father (John 14:6).

Kol tuv,