ויקרא, פרק ד׳, פסוק ל״ד

Atonement through a sacrifice is not merely a mechanical procedure, but a deeply intentional process demanding exact precision and a strict adherence to tradition. Every step, from the moment the blood is collected until it is placed upon the altar, carries profound weight and requires careful attention.

The requirement for focused thought begins immediately. When the priest first collects the blood into a vessel, he cannot simply perform the physical motion. He must explicitly direct his mind, consciously intending that this specific action is being performed for the sake of a sin offering [אדרת אליהו].

The exact manner in which the blood is then applied to the corners of the altar is governed by meticulous traditions. Ancient sages debated the precise number of blood applications required for the offering to be valid, drawing their conclusions from the exact spelling of the words handed down through generations. Even when different interpretations arose regarding these physical requirements, the final practice and recorded text always align with the deeply rooted, accepted tradition, ensuring the ritual remains exactly as prescribed [מנחת שי].

Once the priest completes the required applications on the altar's corners with his finger, he must manage the rest of the blood. The instruction to pour out all the blood does not refer to the entire original amount collected from the offering. Rather, it refers only to what is left in the vessel after the initial applications are complete. This remaining blood is then poured out at the base of the altar [ביאור שטיינזלץ].