LEV59 See [[LEV14]] Leviticus 1:2 offering GATES 461

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LEV61 Remove from the Altar the previous day's ashes from offering. Key concept: Magnify the glory of the Beis HaMikdash in every way possible. (See [[EXOD940]] Exodus 25:8 sanctuary CHINUCH 62-3). To this end, the place on the Altar where the offerings are burned must be cleaned of the ashes every day. In addition, the fire burns better when no ashes are beneath it.

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LEV60 For the honor of the Creator, one should display humility before others and put aside one's pride. When performing an act for the sake of God, may He be exalted, one should forget his own importance, honor, and dignity, whether he is alone or in the midst of assemblies. As Scripture says of Aharon, in spite of the high dignity of his office: “He shall remove the ashes” (Vayikra 6:3 )—the Creator obligated him to remove the ashes daily, to induce lowliness and remove arrogance from his heart. Similarly, it says of David, “And she saw King David leaping and dancing before God” (Shemuel II 26:16; see the rest of the narrative as well); and it says, “I will speak of Your testimonies in the presence of kings, and I will not be inhibited” (Tehillim 119:46).

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LEV62 Do not extinguish the Altar’s fire. A person is blessed according to the degree that his deeds are pleasing in the eyes of Hashem. By fulfilling the mitzvah of tending to the Altar fires every day, the Kohanim caused Hashem to bless the natural fire in their bodies. That is, man is made of four basic elements: fire, air, water and dust. Fire is the main element, for through it man gained strength and is able to move and act. Therefore, of the four basic elements of the body, it is most important that blessing be present in this one.

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LEV63 It is desirable to go suitably dressed and especially when sitting down to a meal (Shabbat 114a. Spoken of the High Priest, who was not to appear in the Holy of Holies in vestments in which he prepared the sacrifices), a lesson derived by the School of Rabbi Yishmael from their explanation of "And he shall take off his garments and put it on others" [this verse]. Appearances are very important, and man was advised to spend more on dress than on food. Such advice was considered unnecessary for woman; nature has seen to that. "Woman's armour which she carries about with her, is her beauty", of mind, as well as of body, if we are to be chivalrous.

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LEV64 See [[DEUT210]] Deuteronomy 6:5 love SPERO 96

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LEV65 Ten miracles were wrought for our forefathers in the sanctuary:… [5] the rains never put out the fire of the wood-pile [on the altar, under the open sky] Pirkei Avot, Perek V, mishnah 7. The altar for sacrifices was in an open space, exposed to the elements. Yet in the heaviest rains the fire always burned. If we might personify them, we could call fire and water natural mortal enemies: water poured on fire will douse it; if there is not enough water to put out a blaze, the flames will dry up the liquid rapidly. Yet here, for a higher purpose, these opposites were made to cooperate. The fire on the altar was needed that the offerings might be burnt there, in accordance with Scripture's revelation of the Divine will. In fact, it commanded, "a constant fire shall be kept burning up on the altar" [this verse]. The cohanim could ensure only a steady supply of wood, fed to the flames as necessary; rain was beyond their control. But Heaven intervened for its own command. To serve the higher goal of the Creator of all, fire and water rose above their natures and made a truce, as it were.… What natural elements did, human elements must also do. Clashing personalities, conflicting interests, drives and pulls in opposite directions -- in the communal life of Jewry these have no place. All must be subdued to the sacred will of Heaven, as we discern it through the Torah and its authentic teachers. Skulduggery of power and politics, the defeat of one group by another for the sheer joy of flexing and showing political muscle, the battle of wills as the greater pigheadedness seeks to triumph--all this is cold water to douse the fires of faith burning in the altars of the heart.

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LEV66 See [[EXOD959]] Exodus 29:33 eat CHINUCH 69-70

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LEV67 We must not do anything that might create animosity. The Talmud comments on the words, "When he is anointed" that only one High Priest at a time is anointed, not two. Why? Rabbi Yohanan explains that this is to prevent animosity. (Yerushalmi Yoma 1:1). The essence of the High Priest is the attribute of peace. Aharon, the first High Priest, was renowned as a lover and pursuer of peace. The High Priest must unite the entire nation. If there would be animosity in this high position, it would be a distortion and mockery of the concept of the High Priest. Therefore, nothing maybe done to create such animosity. (Yalkut Yehuda, on this verse).

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LEV68 The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) shall bring a daily meal offering. The Kohen Gadol prays for the Jewish nation and serves as its agent in performing avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. By means of his prayers and avodah, the nation gains atonement for sins. Accordingly, it is fitting that he bring his own special offering every day in the morning and evening, just as the daily offerings of the community are brought then. All this is in keeping with the principle that offerings are to awaken the heart of the one who brings them, and spur him to serve his Maker with greater devotion. Without question, when a man brings an offering that is specially designated as his, his heart is moved more than if he is simply a partner in the offering.

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