יחזקאל, פרק מ״ג, פסוק כ״ג

The dedication of the altar follows a careful progression, transitioning gradually from an initial stage of cleansing to the actual presentation of offerings. On the second day of the dedication period [מלבי״ם], the purification of the altar is officially completed through the sprinkling of blood from a sin-offering goat [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This final act of cleansing marks a clear boundary, signaling that the preparation phase has ended [מצודת ציון, רש״י].

Immediately following this purification, instructions are given to bring the next set of offerings into the Temple courtyard [מצודת דוד]. These specific sacrifices consist of a bull and a ram, both designated as burnt offerings [מלבי״ם]. A strict requirement is that these animals must be entirely whole and free from any physical blemish [מצודת דוד].

The completion of the Temple's purification and the presentation of these sacrifices to God are deeply tied to the practice of salting the offerings. This requirement has roots reaching back to the very creation of the world. When God created the heavens and the earth and separated the waters, the upper waters desired to remain above, close to Him, and refused to descend to the earth. To appease them and grant them lasting significance, God made a promise. He assured them that no sacrifice would ever be offered in the Temple without the addition of salt, a substance derived from water. Through this enduring promise, the waters maintain a permanent and vital role in the holy service [צאינה וראינה].