שמות, פרק מ׳, פסוק כ״ט

The completion of the Tabernacle involved more than just assembling walls and curtains; it required the precise placement of its sacred vessels and the initiation of daily service. Positioning the copper altar and bringing the first sacrifices upon it marked a definitive transition, transforming a temporary structure into an active, public spiritual center. Unlike other vessels, such as the washbasin, the altar was positioned exactly at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting [העמק דבר]. On this specific day, its status profoundly shifted. During the preceding seven days of inauguration, it functioned merely as a private altar. Now, it was sanctified as a public altar, fully qualified for the regular daily burnt offerings [העמק דבר].

A significant discussion emerges regarding who actually performed these initial offerings. The primary approach among commentators is that Moses took on this role. Even though this was the eighth day, marking the beginning of Aaron's priesthood, Moses continued his sacred service by offering the regular public sacrifices for the day. Aaron and his sons, meanwhile, were responsible only for the special sacrifices specifically commanded for that unique occasion [רש״י, ביאור יש״ר, דברי דוד]. Adding nuance to this, some explain that Moses handled only the standard daily rituals, such as the incense and the lamps, while Aaron offered any sacrifice brought to honor the specific holiness of the day [משכיל לדוד, לבוש האורה]. In contrast, other perspectives suggest that Aaron and his sons performed these offerings themselves [רשב״ם], or that the action simply refers to whoever happened to be officiating at the time [קאסוטו].

The exact timing of these first offerings also presents an interesting dynamic. One view suggests the sacrifices were brought before the courtyard curtains were even erected. Since a new altar must be inaugurated with the morning daily offering, it was utilized at an early hour when it still retained the legal status of a private altar, which permitted such an action [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective maintains that the offerings were brought only after the entire Tabernacle was fully assembled and anointed [ביאור יש״ר].

The specific sacrifices brought at this moment refer to the standard daily burnt offering, rather than the special inauguration sacrifices or Aaron's personal offerings. Accompanying this was the meal offering, consisting of flour and oil. These are grouped together because the meal offering was not an independent sacrifice, but an inseparable component of the daily burnt offering [מזרחי, שפתי חכמים]. Furthermore, the inclusion of the meal offering underscores the altar's newly elevated status. While private altars did not accommodate these accompanying offerings, the newly established public altar finally made this complete service possible [העמק דבר].