Rambam - Sefer HaMitzvos: Negative Mitzvah 114: Negative Mitzvah 114

Negative Mitzvah 114: We are forbidden to shear animals that have been designated for sacrifice
Deuteronomy 15:19 "And do not shear the first-born of your sheep"

Because of the special status of the first born, we are instructed to handle them in a specific way.

Animals that have been designated as sacrifices are also considered sacred. We are cautioned not to use and profit from these animals nor are we allowed to shear them for their wool.

Moses took ownership of the dark as well as the light. He argued not just for the righteous, but also for those who had failed. When the people angered G-d with a golden calf only 40 days after the revelation of Absolute Oneness at Mount Sinai, Moses had to admit they had wronged. Yet he did more than plead for them: He put his entire being on the line for them. "Forgive them!", He demanded. "And if you do not forgive them, then wipe me out from Your book that You have written!"

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com