SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
A series of articles on Beit HaMikdash-related topics by Catriel Sugarman intended to increase the knowledge, interest, and anticipation of the reader, thereby hastening the realization of our hopes and prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.

Blood Applications on the Mizbei'ach
Known as Z'rikat HaDam, the blood applications varied from sacrifice to sacrifice and they were an integral and even crucial part of the "Korbanic" rite in the Beit HaMikdash. Valid only if performed by a Kohein, the officiating priest could invalidate the entire atonement process simply by omission or having improper intent.

The Torah states, "For the soul of the flesh is in the blood and I have given it to you on the altar to effect atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that atones for the soul" (Vayikra 17:11). Rashi explains, "Because life is dependent on the blood, it was chosen to be the instrument of atonement." For this reason, ingesting blood was forbidden.

There were four ways of applying blood to the altar: (1) Z'RIKA (tossing the blood from a Mizrak, a Mikdash vessel), (2) N'TINA (physically placing the blood), (3) HAZAYA (sprinkling) and (4) SH'FICHA (pouring). Z'rikat HaDam is the "generic" term for blood applications. The Malbim writes (Torah V'haMitzvot, Vayikra 40); "'And they (the Kohanim) shall throw the blood around the altar' (Vayikra 1:5). Know that there is a difference between Z'rika (tossing), and Sh'ficha (pouring), and N'tina (placing) and Hazaya (sprinkling). ''Z'rika is from a distance or from lower down to higher up. Sh'ficha is from above to below in the same place…Hazaya refers to the application of drops from the hand (or finger). The physical placing of the blood on the horns of the Mizbei'ach is done gently… Z'rika implies that (the blood was thrown with the aid of) a Mizrak - a Mikdash vessel…"

Where exactly the blood was applied depended on the type of Korban offered. The blood could be applied inside the Kodesh HaKodashim, on the outer of the two curtains separating the Kodesh HaKodashim from the Heichal (Sanctuary), on the Mizbach HaZahav (golden incense altar) in the Heichal, or on the sacrificial altar in the Azara. Though there were only four ways of applying blood to the Mizbei'ach, some of the Korbanot required blood applications in two places.

(1) The Avoda of the Par (bullock) and the Sa'ir (goat) performed on Yom Kippur could only be carried out by the Kohein Gadol himself. Carrying the Mizrak containing blood from the Par and the Sa'ir into Kodesh HaKodashim, the Kohein Gadol sprinkled the blood between the staves of the Aron HaBrit (Ark of the Covenant) eight times (one up and seven down). In Bayit Sheini when the Aron was absent, he sprinkled the blood on the Even Sh'tiya - the 'foundation stone' in Kodesh HaKodashim between where the staves of the Aron would have been had the Aron been there. Before each Hazaya, the Kohein Gadol dipped his index finger in the blood contained in the Mizrak. After the 'sprinkling' in Kodesh Hakodashim, the Kohein Gadol would re-enter the Heichal to the east of Kodesh Hakodashim and face the outer of the two veils which separated the Kodesh Hakodashim from the Heichal. He then would then 'sprinkle' eight more times (again one up and seven down) towards the veil, taking care to dip his finger anew in the blood before each Hazaya. He then approached the Mizbach HaZahav, located in the Heichal, and placed blood on the four 'horns' which protruded from the corners. Having previously cleared any ash from the southern side of the top of the Golden Altar, thereby exposing the gold surface, the Kohein Gadol then sprinkled seven more drops of blood on the newly uncovered surface. He was careful to dip his finger anew in the Mizrak each time. A mistake or omission invalidated the entire rite of atonement. The remnant of the blood was poured out into the western of the two holes located in the southwest corner of the Yesod (the 'foundation') of the sacrificial altar in the Azara, the Temple Court.

(2) The Par He'elam Davar Shel Tzibur (bullock for a matter that was hidden from the community, Vayikra 4:13, 14), the Par Kohein Mashiach (bullock of the anointed Kohein Gadol, Vayikra 4:3), and the Se'irei Avoda Zara (he-goat of idol worship, Bamidbar 15:24) required the Kohein Gadol to 'sprinkle' the blood towards the veil in the Heichal seven times. Before each Hazaya, he dipped his finger into the blood in the Mizrak and then proceeded to place blood on the four 'horns' of the Mizbach HaZahav in the Heichal. A mistake or omission invalidated the entire rite of atonement. The blood that remained in the Mizrak was poured into the western of the two holes located in the southwest corner of the Yesod of the sacrificial altar. The five sacrifices noted above are called Chata'ot Penimiyot (inner sin offerings) because their blood applications were performed inside the Bayit and not on the outer Mizbei'ach in the Azara.

(3) The "Outer Sin Offerings" were so called because the blood applications were applied on the sacrificial altar "outside" the Bayit. The Kohein dipped his finger into the Mizrak and placed blood on the 'horns' on the corners of the Mizbei'ach while he stood on the circuit ledge, which circumambulated the altar. Upon completing the blood applications, he poured the remainder of the blood into the southern of the two holes located in the southwest corner of the Yesod.

(4) The Olah, Asham, Shalmei Tzibur (public Shelamim offered on Shavu'ot) and private Shelamim required "two applications which in reality were four". The Kohein would approach the Mizbei'ach and, while standing on the stone floor of the Azara, tossed the blood from the Mizrak at the northeast corner in such a way that blood splattered partially on the north side and partially on the east side. Then he proceeded to the southwest corner of the Mizbei'ach and tossed blood in the same manner, making sure that he splattered blood on both sides - south and west. The Kohein poured the remainder of the blood into the southern of the two holes located in the southwest corner of the Yesod of the Mizbei'ach.

(5) The B'chor (firstborn animals) and the Ma'aser B'heima (animal tithes) only required one blood application. The Kohein conveyed the Mizrak containing the blood to the Mizbei'ach and tossed the blood from a distance at the sides where the Yesod protruded. This 'tossing' could be performed along the entire north and west sides of the Mizbei'ach and also on two additional Amot protrusions of the Yesod on the northeast corner and the southwest corner.

(6) The Korban Pesach (the Passover Offering) also required only one blood application. The Kohein would take the Mizrak containing the blood, and pour it out on the wall of the Mizbei'ach being careful that that the blood would flow onto the Yesod. Contrary to when the Kohein tossed the blood as in (4) and (5) above, when it was not necessary that the blood flow onto the Yesod.

Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service