ויקרא, פרק ד׳, פסוק ט״ו

When the national leaders of the Sanhedrin make a grave error in Jewish law, causing the public to sin as a result, a public sin offering is required. To acknowledge their responsibility for the mistake and to secure atonement for the people, these leaders must press their hands upon the animal. The individuals tasked with this duty are exceptionally distinguished Torah scholars. They are not merely older men, but rather the most unique and greatest members of the Great Sanhedrin [מלבי״ם, תורה תמימה, ביאור יש״ר].

Because it is physically impossible for the entire nation of Israel to press their hands on a single animal, these prominent scholars act as representatives for the whole public [אבן עזרא]. Having a small, select group perform this action highlights that the atonement is granted to the high court as a single, unified body, rather than just a collection of private individuals [רש״ר הירש].

There are varying traditions regarding exactly how many elders participate in this ritual. The primary approach suggests that three elders press their hands. A minimum of two is required to represent a group, and a third judge is added to prevent an even number. This ensures a majority vote can be reached if a sudden legal doubt arises, such as discovering a physical blemish on the bull [תורה תמימה, ברכת אשר]. Other commentators suggest that five elders perform the action [אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם, רד״צ הופמן]. Still, another tradition maintains that twelve elders step forward, serving as the presidents and representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel [ברכת אשר, רד״צ הופמן].

These elders are considered entirely equal in their status and in their participation [מלבי״ם, פרדס יוסף]. However, they do not press their hands simultaneously. Instead, the process is done individually. One elder approaches, presses both of his hands firmly upon the animal, and steps away, allowing the next elder to do the same in turn [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו].

This specific requirement of pressing hands is strictly limited to this particular bull. It does not apply to other public sin offerings, such as the goats brought to atone for a national sin of idolatry. Even though the circumstances are similar, those goats are entirely exempt from the hand-pressing ritual [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם].

Following the pressing of the hands, the animal is slaughtered on the northern side of the altar, directly before God [ביאור יש״ר]. The slaughtering itself does not need to be performed by the elders. Instead, it is carried out by a single, designated individual who completes the process [ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״צ הופמן].