ויקרא, פרק ח׳, פסוק ל׳

The inauguration of the priesthood reaches its defining climax. The act of sprinkling holy oil and sacrificial blood serves as the final seal, elevating Aaron and his sons to their ultimate state of holiness. Moses gathers the anointing oil and the blood that was previously placed on the altar, sprinkling them over Aaron's body and garments to bestow a final, completing layer of sanctity [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם].

A careful look at the events reveals a shift from the original instructions given earlier. Initially, the command indicated that this sprinkling should occur before the burning of the animal fats, yet Moses performs it afterward [רמב״ן, חזקוני, הטור הארוך, רד צ הופמן]. Moses recognized that this specific act was meant to be the absolute conclusion of the consecration. The earlier anointing with oil was merely a preparation, not the final step. Only at this moment, through the application of the blood, is the holiness of the father and sons permanently sealed [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך, רד צ הופמן]. Furthermore, Moses relied on an oral tradition instructing him to complete the burning and waving of the sacrifices before sprinkling the priests [העמק דבר].

Another subtle change occurs in the order of the materials used. The original instruction listed the blood before the oil, but Moses takes the oil first. This adjustment is simply a matter of physical placement and the principle of not passing over an opportunity to perform a sacred act. After waving the chest of the sacrifice, Moses stood on the eastern side of the altar, directly next to the anointing oil. The blood, however, was located on the southwestern corner. Rather than walking past the oil without using it, Moses gathered it first [מלבי״ם].

A question remains regarding how these materials were applied. While some uncertainty exists as to whether Moses mixed the oil and blood together before sprinkling [רמב״ן], another perspective suggests they were kept completely separate. This separation might have been necessary because it is possible that only the oil was sprinkled on the sons of Aaron [רד צ הופמן].

Finally, the specific way the garments are introduced in the narrative hints at Aaron's unique spiritual standing. A subtle grammatical omission closely merges Aaron with his clothing, signaling that Aaron himself had already achieved a high level of sanctity when oil was poured on his head earlier in the ceremony. At this final stage, it was primarily his garments that required the completion of the consecration process [רד צ הופמן].