Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: This is analogous to a king’s son who was emboldened,30He thought he could do whatever he wanted. and was accustomed to eat the flesh of animal carcasses and mauled animals.31Animals that had not been properly ritually slaughtered [neveila], or animals that had a defect in an internal organ [tereifa], such as one that might have been caused if the animal had been mauled.
The meat of such animals is forbidden for consumption. The king said: ‘This one will frequent my table, and on his own he will be restricted.’ So too, because Israel enthusiastically followed idol worship in Egypt, and they would bring their offerings to the satyrs, as it is stated: “They shall no longer slaughter their offerings to the satyrs [se’irim]” (Leviticus 17:7). These satyrs are nothing other than demons, as it is stated: “They would slaughter to demons” (Deuteronomy 32:17).
These demons are nothing other than satyrs, as it is stated: “And satyrs [se’irim] will dance there” (Isaiah 13:21).32Although the word se’irim can mean goats, this verse is clearly not referring to goats and demonstrates that se’irim can also refer to a type of demon. They would sacrifice their offerings in violation of the prohibition of the private altar in the wilderness, and punishments would befall them.
The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘At all times, let them sacrifice their offerings before me in the Tent of Meeting, and they will separate themselves from idol worship and will be saved.’ That is what is written: “Any man from the house of Israel…”