שמות, פרק מ׳, פסוק ל״ב

Purity is an essential prerequisite for holy service. Entering the Tent of Meeting and performing sacrificial duties requires physical preparation, specifically the mandatory washing of hands and feet. This act transforms an earlier Divine directive into practical reality, establishing a clear boundary of sanctity before approaching God [קאסוטו].

The requirement to wash is not universal to all forms of worship, but is strictly tied to specific, highly sanctified locations. It is an absolute necessity only when serving at the altar of the Tabernacle or at large public altars that share the same sacred status. During historical periods when individuals were permitted to offer sacrifices on small, private altars built in their own courtyards, there was no obligation to wash beforehand. This distinction stems from the nature of the Divine Presence. Because God's presence did not formally rest upon private altars, they did not possess the intense level of holiness that demands such strict rituals of purity [תורה תמימה].

This directive to wash extended beyond the priests. Although the original written Commandment did not explicitly state that Moses himself was required to cleanse his hands and feet, he participated in this ritual alongside the priests. He knew to do so because the specific obligation applying to him was transmitted through oral tradition, confirming that he too had to prepare himself exactly as God had instructed [העמק דבר].