ויקרא, פרק ח׳, פסוק כ״ט

During the dedication of the Tabernacle, Moses stepped into a unique, temporary role as High Priest, granting him the right to partake in the holy offerings. The ritual waving of this inauguration offering differed from standard practice. In regular peace offerings, the animal's fats, thigh, and breast are all waved together in a single motion. However, during this specific dedication ceremony, the thigh was slated to be burned on the altar. Therefore, Moses first waved the portions designated for the altar. Only after completing that step did he take the breast and wave it entirely on its own [ביאור יש״ר]. This separate action was necessary because the breast was never intended for the altar fire; rather, it was designated from the outset as a direct gift for the officiating priest [רד צ הופמן].

The allocation of this specific part of the inauguration ram highlights that Moses, acting in his capacity as High Priest, received a designated portion of the priestly gifts this one time [רד צ הופמן]. This distribution reflects the standard practice of giving the priests their rightful share of the holy items [רש י המובא בתורה תמימה].

The Talmudic sages actually point to this specific moment to establish Moses's temporary status as a priest, relying on this historical account rather than the earlier command recorded in the Book of Exodus, which had already promised him this portion [תורה תמימה]. Furthermore, while the original command in Exodus immediately establishes the breast and thigh as a permanent gift for all future priests, that ongoing directive is omitted during the actual event. The rule did not need to be repeated here, as the detailed laws of the offerings had already been firmly established in the preceding chapter, making the permanent practice entirely self-evident [רד צ הופמן].