שמות, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ט״ז

Offering the ram as a burnt offering marks a pivotal moment in the sanctification of the Tabernacle and its priests, reflecting an ongoing pursuit of spiritual and practical perfection. The act of placing the animal's blood upon the altar carries profound symbolic weight. It represents the dedication of the physical world and human senses to the purposes established by God, requiring a person to set aside their own ego and submit with complete devotion [רש ר הירש].

The method used to apply the blood is highly specific. Unlike a sin offering, where the priest uses his finger to smear blood on the upper corners of the altar, the burnt offering requires the blood to be gathered into a basin. Holding this vessel, the priest throws the blood directly against the altar. During this process, he remains standing on the ground at the base of the structure rather than ascending the ramp, directing the blood exclusively at the lower half of the altar.

This action is performed immediately to ensure the blood does not dry out. Preserving its liquid state is essential, as the remaining blood is subsequently needed to sprinkle upon Aaron and his sons to finalize their sanctification process [פענח רזא].

The spread of the blood across the altar is achieved through a precise technique. Rather than walking in a continuous circle to pour the blood, the primary approach among commentators explains that the priest performs an action known as "two placements that are four." He throws the blood exactly twice: once at one corner of the altar, and a second time at the opposite diagonal corner. By striking the exact edge of the corner, the blood naturally splashes outward in both directions, covering two intersecting sides at once. Through just two throws, the blood effectively reaches all four sides of the altar, completely surrounding the structure.