Parshas Shoftim

לא תזבח לה' אלקיך שור ושה אשר יהיה בו מום כל דבר רע כי תועבת ה' אלקיך הוא

Why does the Torah use the future tense אשר יהיה בו מום, when it could have written simply אשר בו מום?

There are times a person falls into despair (יאוש), imagining he’s not capable of accomplishing what he needs.  Especially now, at the beginning of Elul, he doesn’t see being able to elevate himself in Avodas ה', and ח"ו despairs of what the future will bring.

The Posuk hints to us that there’s no blemish at the moment.  Worrying that there might be in the future, and falling into despair – hence the use of the future tense – is not the proper way.  The Torah uses an especially strong language – תועבה – to hint just how objectionable are feelings of despair!

Pisgamie Oraysa, Parshas Shoftim 5763