Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does it mean to 'make atonement' for the altar in Leviticus 16:18?
A: In Leviticus 16:18, 'making atonement' for the altar refers to the Kohen (priest) purifying the altar from any spiritual impurities that may have accumulated over the year. According to Rashi, this was done by sprinkling the blood of the bull and goat on the altar's horns, symbolizing cleansing and renewal. The altar, as a central place of Divine service, required this purification, especially on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Q: Why were both a bull and a goat used for the atonement process in this verse?
A: The bull (from the Kohen Gadol's personal sin offering) and the goat (the communal sin offering) were used together to achieve complete atonement. The Rambam explains that the bull atoned for the impurities caused by the Kohanim, while the goat atoned for the impurities of the entire Jewish people. Together, they ensured that both the altar and the people were purified before Hashem.
Q: What is the significance of placing blood on the horns of the altar in Leviticus 16:18?
A: The horns of the altar were its highest and most prominent points, representing strength and spiritual elevation (as horns often symbolize power in Tanach). By placing the blood there, the Kohen emphasized that atonement reaches the highest levels of holiness. The Midrash teaches that this act also served as a reminder of the binding of Yitzchak (Akeidah), where a ram was sacrificed—connecting repentance to the merit of our ancestors.
Q: How does Leviticus 16:18 relate to Yom Kippur today if we don’t have the Temple?
A: Although we no longer have the Temple or altar, the themes of Leviticus 16:18 still apply on Yom Kippur. The Talmud (Yoma 85b) teaches that teshuva (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity) now replace the sacrificial service. Just as the blood purified the altar, our sincere efforts purify our hearts. The verse reminds us that atonement requires active steps toward spiritual renewal.
Q: Why does the verse say the altar is 'before the Lord'?
A: The phrase 'before the Lord' emphasizes that the altar in the Mishkan (and later the Temple) was the focal point of Divine presence. Rashi notes that this altar (the outer mizbe'ach) was directly aligned with the Holy of Holies, where Hashem's presence dwelled. Thus, its purification was essential for maintaining the sanctity of the entire sanctuary and the connection between the Jewish people and Hashem.
Context in the Torah
This verse (Vayikra 16:18) is part of the Yom Kippur service described in Parshat Acharei Mot. It details the Kohen Gadol's actions during the avodah (service) of Yom Kippur, specifically regarding the purification of the outer altar in the Temple courtyard.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that this refers to the outer altar (mizbach ha'nechoshet), distinct from the inner golden altar. The Kohen Gadol would take a mixture of blood from the bull (his personal sin offering) and the goat (the people's sin offering) and apply it to the horns of the outer altar.
The Rambam's Perspective
In Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim (1:15), the Rambam describes this as one of the essential components of the Yom Kippur service. The sprinkling of blood on the altar's horns serves to atone for ritual impurities that may have affected the altar itself during the year.
Symbolism of the Altar's Horns
The Dual Blood Mixture
The Kli Yakar notes that combining the blood of the bull (representing the Kohen Gadol's atonement) with the goat's blood (representing the people's atonement) symbolizes how the Kohen's service benefits all of Israel, and how the people's merit supports their leader.
Practical Halachic Implications
The Mishnah in Yoma (5:5) details the precise method of applying the blood - starting from the northeast horn, proceeding to the northwest, southwest, and southeast horns, forming a circular motion around the altar.