שמות, פרק מ׳, פסוק י״א

The preparation of the Tabernacle required anointing its sacred vessels to ready them for their holy functions. The anointing of the washbasin and its base marks a major turning point in the laws of the sacrificial service. Until this moment, offering sacrifices was treated much like worship at a private, temporary altar. In that earlier stage, priests were under no obligation to wash their hands and feet before beginning their duties. However, the command to sanctify the washbasin completely changed this standard. From this point forward, a strict requirement was established: priests had to wash their hands and feet using the water from this specific basin before engaging in the holy service [העמק דבר].

Moses was given the responsibility to perform this task, anointing both the basin and the base it rested upon [קאסוטו]. Yet, the process of making the basin holy required more than just the physical application of oil. The act of anointing alone did not automatically prepare the basin for its unique role. Instead, it required a distinct, deliberate act of sanctification specifically dedicated to its purpose [צפנת פענח].