שמות, פרק ל׳, פסוק כ״ח

The process of sanctifying the Tabernacle reaches its peak when the sacred objects are anointed with a special oil, permanently setting them apart for the service of God. The altar of burnt offerings required anointing along with its many associated items, as every single piece needed to be formally dedicated [אבן עזרא].

The oil used for this process was prepared in a specific volume equal to the size of seventy-two eggs [מזרחי]. The mixture crafted by Moses was entirely unique and miraculous. It was produced only once in history and lasted for many generations without ever spoiling. Ultimately, it was hidden away to be preserved for the era of the Messiah. The base of this sacred mixture was olive oil, chosen because it represents eternity and honor more than any other liquid. It was carefully blended with fine spices in precise amounts to symbolize that a good reputation and noble actions are the true marks of honor [אברבנאל].

There is a fundamental difference between anointing physical objects and anointing people, such as priests or kings. When people are anointed, the goal is to prepare them to receive divine blessing, spiritual inspiration, or strength. Therefore, oil is poured directly on their heads, representing the center of the mind, wisdom, and leadership. In contrast, the items in the Tabernacle were anointed for one reason alone: to designate them for holy work. Because an object has no head and all its parts are equal, the oil could be applied anywhere on its surface. Furthermore, because of this single, focused purpose, simply wiping the objects with the oil was sufficient, without any need to pour it over them as was required for people [אברבנאל].