יחזקאל, פרק מ״ג, פסוק כ״ב

The future dedication of the altar involves a careful process of offerings and purification. Preparing the sacred space requires specific steps to elevate it from an ordinary state to its ultimate holy purpose.

A new requirement, directed by God for the future Temple, is the offering of a male goat. This specific offering was absent during the original dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness [רש״י]. On the second day of the dedication, the priests use the blood of this goat to purify the altar, sprinkling it just as they did with the blood of a bull on the first day [מצודת דוד].

This goat offering does not stand alone but is part of a comprehensive system of purification. Once the atonement with the goat is complete, a bull and a ram are offered along with salt on that very same day. This entire sequence is then repeated every day for a full seven-day dedication period.

These seven days serve a vital purpose. They transform the altar into a place of absolute holiness, and they train the priests for their sacred duties. An extended period of purification is essential for the future Temple because the land was defiled by foreign nations over time. Furthermore, the priests themselves suffered a spiritual decline during the long years of exile, making this thorough renewal completely necessary before they can resume their service [אברבנאל].