ויקרא, פרק ח׳, פסוק י׳

The act of anointing with oil marks the moment when ordinary physical matter transforms into something holy. Through this process, Moses sanctifies the Tabernacle, its vessels, and the priests, fully preparing them for the service of God. According to tradition, this unique anointing oil was created through a miracle, and its sacred status is destined to last forever [אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם]. By smearing a small amount of this oil on the Tabernacle and all its contents, Moses successfully elevated them to a state of holiness [ביאור שטיינזלץ, ברכת אשר, The Torah].

A central discussion among commentators revolves around the exact timing of this anointing, as there appears to be a difference between the original command given in the book of Exodus and the actual events carried out here. One approach suggests that the anointing had already taken place. In this view, Moses applied the oil to the Tabernacle before he even dressed Aaron in his priestly garments [אבן עזרא, רד״צ הופמן]. Conversely, other commentators maintain that the events unfolded in precise chronological order. According to this perspective, Moses intentionally waited to anoint the Tabernacle until after Aaron was fully dressed. He paused to sanctify the structure and its contents, and then immediately anointed Aaron himself. This specific sequence ensured that Aaron was completely ready to enter and perform his duties the exact moment the Tabernacle became holy [רמב״ן, אור החיים]. The earlier mention in Exodus of anointing the structure before dressing Aaron was simply a way to group all the instructions regarding Aaron together, even though the actual order of service was different [רמב״ן, אור החיים]. Additionally, the very requirement to anoint the Tabernacle during the seven days of inauguration stems from an oral tradition, with hints found in verses concerning the altar [העמק דבר].

Regarding the physical act of anointing itself, there is a fundamental difference between how the vessels were sanctified and how the priests were prepared. When Moses sanctified the Tabernacle and its contents, he went through and anointed each individual vessel separately. In contrast, Aaron and his sons were anointed all at once, together with their garments, as the oil poured down and was absorbed into them [חזקוני, אדרת אליהו, מלבי״ם].