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Leviticus 8:24 - Consecration through blood ritual

Leviticus 8:24 - ויקרא 8:24

Hebrew Text

וַיַּקְרֵב אֶת־בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן וַיִּתֵּן מֹשֶׁה מִן־הַדָּם עַל־תְּנוּךְ אָזְנָם הַיְמָנִית וְעַל־בֹּהֶן יָדָם הַיְמָנִית וְעַל־בֹּהֶן רַגְלָם הַיְמָנִית וַיִּזְרֹק מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַדָּם עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ סָבִיב׃

English Translation

And he brought Aharon’s sons, and Moshe put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moshe sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

Transliteration

Vayakrev et-bnei Aharon vayiten Moshe min-hadam al-tenuch oznam hayemanit ve'al bohen yadam hayemanit ve'al bohen raglam hayemanit vayizrok Moshe et-hadam al-hamizbe'ah saviv.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּקְרֵ֞ב אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיִּתֵּ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֤ה מִן־הַדָּם֙ עַל־תְּנ֤וּךְ אׇזְנָם֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־בֹּ֤הֶן יָדָם֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־בֹּ֥הֶן רַגְלָ֖ם הַיְמָנִ֑ית וַיִּזְרֹ֨ק מֹשֶׁ֧ה אֶת־הַדָּ֛ם עַל־הַֽמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ סָבִֽיב׃
וַיַּקְרֵ֞ב אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיִּתֵּ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֤ה מִן־הַדָּם֙ עַל־תְּנ֤וּךְ אׇזְנָם֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־בֹּ֤הֶן יָדָם֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־בֹּ֥הֶן רַגְלָ֖ם הַיְמָנִ֑ית וַיִּזְרֹ֨ק מֹשֶׁ֧ה אֶת־הַדָּ֛ם עַל־הַֽמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ סָבִֽיב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 8:23-24) describes part of the consecration ceremony for Aharon and his sons as Kohanim (priests) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Moshe Rabbeinu applies the blood of the ram of consecration to their right ear, right thumb, and right big toe before sprinkling the blood on the Mizbe'ach (altar). This ritual symbolizes their complete dedication to divine service.

Symbolism of the Blood Application

  • Right Ear: Rashi explains this represents their obligation to listen carefully to Hashem's commandments and to heed the needs of the Jewish people they serve.
  • Right Thumb: This symbolizes their sacred work with their hands in performing the Temple service (Avodah) properly.
  • Right Big Toe: This signifies walking in the proper path of divine service and approaching the altar with proper intent and reverence.

The Right Side Significance

The Ramban notes that the right side is consistently used because it represents strength and primary importance in Jewish tradition. The right side symbolizes the attribute of Chessed (kindness) which must characterize the Kohanim's service.

Blood on the Altar

The sprinkling of blood on the altar, as explained in Torat Kohanim, represents the complete dedication of the Kohanim's life force to divine service. The blood encircling the altar (saviv) shows that their commitment must be total and without gaps.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash Tanchuma connects this ritual to the concept of atonement - the ear atones for improper hearing of sacred matters, the hand for improper actions in service, and the foot for improper paths taken. This teaches that complete dedication requires purification of all faculties.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 24b
The verse is discussed in the context of the sacrificial rites and the proper procedures for applying blood during the consecration of priests.
📖 Menachot 93b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the rituals performed during the consecration of the priests, particularly the application of blood to specific parts of the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Moshe put blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe of Aharon's sons?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Zevachim 19b), the blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe symbolizes complete dedication to serving Hashem. The ear represents listening to His commandments, the thumb represents doing His will with our hands, and the toe represents walking in His ways. This was part of their consecration as kohanim (priests).
Q: What is the significance of using the right side in this verse?
A: The right side is traditionally associated with strength and importance in Jewish thought (as seen in Talmud Yoma 15b). By using the right ear, thumb, and toe, the Torah emphasizes that the kohanim must serve Hashem with their full strength and best abilities. The Rambam explains that this reflects total commitment in divine service.
Q: Why was blood used in the consecration of the kohanim?
A: Blood represents life (as stated in Vayikra 17:11), and its use in the consecration ceremony (as explained in Midrash Torat Kohanim) symbolized that the kohanim were dedicating their entire lives to serving Hashem in the Mishkan. The sprinkling on the altar showed their connection to the divine service.
Q: Does this ceremony have any relevance today without the Temple?
A: While we don't have the Temple service today, the Sages teach (in Avot D'Rabbi Natan) that we can learn from this verse about dedicating all our faculties to holiness. Just as the kohanim were consecrated, we should use our ears to hear Torah, our hands to do mitzvot, and our feet to walk to places of Torah and prayer.
Q: Why did Moshe sprinkle blood around the altar?
A: Rashi explains (based on Torat Kohanim) that the blood was sprinkled around the altar to create a 'circle of atonement,' symbolizing that the kohanim's service would bring atonement for all of Israel. The Rambam adds (in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Klei HaMikdash) that this act inaugurated the altar for divine service.