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.

"Order and Method" in the Mikdash - cont.
Standing behind a lectern in the Beit HaMokeid, Meir began to speak to the hundreds of Kohanei Beit Bilga who were sitting in front of him. "The Olah precedes the Asham (the guilt-offering) which in turn precedes the offering of Shelamim" (Zevachim 10:2). As the Bilga-ites nodded, Meir continued, "We all know that when slaughtering a sacrificial animal, both the Shocheit and the ministering Kohanim must have Kavana, proper intent. They must be mindful that the sacrifice is according to G-d's will, a "pleasing, sweet savor" (Vayikra 1:9). Since Shechita, slaughter, is not an Avoda per se, a Kohein is not required to slaughter the sacrificial animal. That we Kohanim slaughter the Korbanot Tzibur (public Korbanot) is merely a matter of custom. Moreover, ideally, a private person who brings a Korban should slaughter it himself. However, not every person is able to do so. He may lack the necessary prerequisite knowledge or simply be squeamish. You may remember how we trained hundreds of Leviyim as Shochtim to help the Ba'alei Korban who were unable to slaughter their own Korbanot." Meir quoted, "If a man slaughtered the sacrifice (e.g. Sh'lamim) with the intention of sprinkling the blood outside (of the Azara) or even if he intended to sprinkle only some of the blood application outside, or to burn its sacrificial portions or even to burn only some of the sacrificial portions outside… or to eat of its meat or only an olive's bulk of its meat outside (the designated area), the sacrifice becomes invalid... But if he had in mind to sprinkle the blood (on the Mizbei'ach) the next day - after the permitted time… or to burn its sacrificial portions… the next day, or to eat the meat… on the next day (after the permitted time), the sacrifice becomes Pigul - an abomination - and entails Kareit for those who eat of the meat' (Zevachim 2:2). A mere thought can invalidate the Korban and cause someone who eats of the sacrificial meat to be subject to Kareit!"

Meir continued, "When a Kohein or a private individual slaughters a sacrificial animal (Menachot 110a): [1] He must remember what Korban he is sacrificing. Is the Korban an Olah, a Chatat or Sh'lamim? [2] If the Korban in question is a Chatat or an Asham, the Shocheit must aware of the nature of the transgression that necessitated bringing it. [3] If the Ba'al Korban does not slaughter his own sacrificial animal, the Shocheit who takes his place must be aware of the Ba'al Korban's identity. [4] The Shocheit must be mindful that the slaughtered animal is being offered as a Korban on the Mizbei'ach and is not going to be used for ordinary human consumption."

Getting up from his seat, a young Kohein objected, "Isn't all this obvious? If I slaughter an animal in the Azara, the animal could only be used as a Korban." Meir answered that people, even Kohanim during Avoda, can get disoriented. "Remember, a stray thought can invalidate a Korban." Satisfied, the Kohein sat down. Meir continued, "[5] A Kohein - or any Shocheit - must remember that the Emurim (innards of sacrificial animal burnt on altar) must to be burnt completely on the Mizbei'ach and not simply roasted. [6] He must recall that Korbanot are burnt on the Mizbei'ach and not somewhere else (Zevachim 2:2). How- ever, the Sanhedrin ruled that these intentions should not be audibly voiced so to prevent the possibility of error and the resultant invalidation of the Korban. You know that the Azara can be a very noisy place and people can get confused. It is the wrong intention of the ministering Kohein that can invalidate the Korban, not a wrong intention of the Ba'al HaKorban. Who knows how many Korbanot are inadvertently invalidated? Realizing the problem, the Sanhedrin set up a standing committee to study the matter and make practical recommendations to ameliorate the situation. The committee consisted of members of the Sanhedrin, experienced Kohanim, and efficiency experts. At the urging of my Rosh Mishmeret, I had the honor of serving on the committee. The findings of this committee formed the basis of the new regulations laid down by the Sanhedrin governing sacrificial procedure. All private Chatot would be offered first and only when the Kohanim finished offering the Chatot, they would offer the Ashamot followed by the Shelamim. Korbanot would no longer be offered haphazardly, and as a result, the Ba'alei Hakorban would not be held up unnecessarily. Our committee recommended that anyone who wanted to bring a Korban would pre-register by email and be given a number. Leviyim would verify the details of the Ba'al Hakorban (name, Te'udat Zehut, type of Korban to be offered etc.), enter them into the Mikdash computer, and then by return email inform the Ba'al Hakorban exactly when he was to appear in the Beit HaMikdash with his Korban. Though the Halacha demanded that the Shocheit and the officiating Kohein know the nature of the transgression that necessitated the bringing of a Chatat or Asham, the Mikdash authorities took precautions to spare the Ba'al Hakorban any unnecessary embarrassment.

As he spoke, Meir's enthusiasm was palpable. "Imagine", he said, "at the specified time, the pre-registered Ba'al Korban appears at the Eastern Gate with his Olah and presents his computer printout (his "electronic ticket") to the waiting Leviyim. Without further ado, they verify his name and Te'urah Zechut number and direct him to the quickly moving "Olah line". After immersing in one of the Mikva'ot in the Lishkat HaMetzora'im, he enters the Azara where he is met by a friendly Kohein who explains the procedure. While escorting the Ba'al Hakorban to the Beit HaMitbachayim north of the Mizbei'ach where Olot (and all sacrifices of a higher level of sanctity) are slaughtered, he puts the Ba'al Hakorban at ease. After explaining the symbolism of the Olah and what it represents, the specially trained "greeter-Kohein" (with a warm smile) gently helps the Ba'al Hakorban organize his thoughts and verbalize any words of praise or confession of sin that he wishes to say over his sacrifice. We have found that the vast majority of Ba'alei Korban appreciate this added attention very much. When the Ba'al Hakorban approaches the Beit Hamitbacha'yim with his sacrificial animal, he presents his computer printout to the ministering Kohanim. That way, they have all the pertinent information in front of them when they perform the Avoda. (The printout even notes that the Emurim were to be burnt completely on the Mizbei'ach and not somewhere else.) If the Ba'al Hakorban would rather not slaughter his Korban himself, a Levite will immediately be summoned. In either case, a Kohein will be on hand to receive the blood from the slaughtered animal, take it to the Mizbei'ach and "toss the blood". In addition, a pre-designated team of Kohanim will be available to flay and wash down the sacrificial animal, dismember it, and take the Netachim to the Mizbei'ach. Every Mishmeret will have a "floor captain" who will ensure the Kohanim's efficiently. However, Kohanim by nature are Zarizim - agile, quick, conscientious, and most of all, enthusiastic!"

Who would have believed it? The Kohanim of problematic Beit Bilga stood up and gave Meir a standing ovation. Meir smiled modestly.
Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service