Taking the Blood to the Mizbayach Hazahav
The Kohain Gadol removed the blood of the goat from the stand in front of the Paroches and mixed it with the bull's blood. Then he took the mixture from in front of the Paroches and carried it beyond the Mizbayach Hazahav (golden alter).
Starting at the northeast corner, the Kohain Gadol smeared the blood on the four corners of the Mizbayach. He dipped his finger in the bowl of blood before each application. There is a dispute in the Gemara as to wether the Kohain Gadol walked around the Mizbayach or stood in one place when applying the blood on the Mizbayach.
After clearing away the ashes of the daily Ketores from the south side of the Mizbayach, he sprinkled the blood on it seven times. The remaining blood was poured into the bottom of the outer Mizbayach.
The purpose for smearing and sprinkling blood on the Mizbayach Hazahav was to atone for any tuma that may have come into contact with this Mizbayach or the Ketored which was offered on it.
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Avodas P'nim
All text and graphics are from the book "The Yom Kippur Avodah," by Rabbi Menachem Moshe Oppen, illustrations by Shepsil Scheinberg, © C.I.S. Publishers,1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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