Differences Between the Bird Offerings

Differences Between the Bird Offerings

CHATASOLAHPLACE OF MELIKAHFloor of the courtyard, at southwest corner of the Altar; Valid anywhere on the AltarUpper part of the Alter; optimally at the southeast ledgeTYPE OF MELIKAHEither the windpipe or the esophagus; may not separateBoth the windpipe and the esophagus; must separatePLACE OF BLOOD APPLICATIONLower part of the Altar, southwest cornerUpper wall of the AltarTYPE OF BLOOD APPLICATIONהַזָאָה , sprinkling and מָצוֹי , drainingמָצוֹי , drainingDISPOSITION OF THE BIRDEaten in its entirety by KohanimBurnt in its entirety upon the Altar

Alternative place for the Olah

Sometimes, many kohanim officiating for bird-Olos were crowded around the area awaiting their turn for the Southeast corner of the Altar ledge. If the area was crowded and not available for others, interestingly, a kohen could choose to relocate and bring the bird-olah at the southwest corner of the Altar instead, which was the next-closest corner of the Altar to the Place of Ashes.

Rashi (Zevachim 64a) asserts that when the bird-Olah offering was done at the southwest corner, it was done on the top of the Altar and not upon the ledge. Tosfos disagrees and say whether done at the southeast corner or at the southwest corner, it was done on the ledge. Therefore, according Tosfos they must be an additional small ramp leading from the main ramp’s left side to the eastern part of the ledge.