ושחט אתו על ירך המזבח צפנה לפני ה' וזרקו בני אהרן הכהנים את דמו על המזבח סביב (ויקרא א,יא)
The Korbanos (sacrifices in the Bais haMikdash) were divided into two groups, the Kodshei Kodashim, sacrifices of a higher level of sanctity, and Kodashim Kalim, sacrifices of a lower level of sanctity. The Kodshei Kodashim could be slaughtered and their blood received only in the area north of the Mizbeiach (the Altar). Kodashim Kalim could be slaughtered anywhere in the courtyard, even the south.
The Perek of Mishnayos in Zevachim called איזהו מקומן lists the items which are Kodshei Kodashim:
- Bull and he-goat of Yom Kippur
- Burned bulls and he-goats
- Communal and personal Chataos (sin-offerings)
- Olos (“completely” burnt offerings)
- Communal Shelamin (lambs that accompanied the Two Loafs of Shavuos) and the Ashamos (guilt-offerings)
Where is the special Northern area (proper area for shechting of the Kodshei Kodashim)?
The northern part of the Courtyard can be seen in three sections:
- the section north-west of the Altar (width of 22 amos)
- the section directly across from the Altar (width of the base is 32 amos)
- the section north east of the Altar (22 amos width in the Cohanim’s and the Yisrael’s portion)
Three opinions in the Gemara (Zevachim 55b) about the area designated as “North of the Altar”:
- Rabbi Yehudah calls all three sections “north of the Altar” (sections A,B & C)
- Rabbi Elezar ben Rabbi Shimon calls sections A & B “north of the Altar”
- Rebbi calls only section B as “north of the Altar”
Why does the verse specify the north?
Rashi (Zevachim 55b): What is the difference between north and south? Only to set a particular place as special.
Malbim: When an object is not squared, then the appendages (the portions which stick out) are called ירך (such as legs in the body). Thus, regarding the Altar which is a squared object, the south part (elongated by the ramp) should be the ירך. Thus, the Torah adds the word צפון (north) to clarify that the north is the special side.
Oznayim la'Torah: Bearing in mind the Gemara in Bava Basra, 25a that the north wind, which is sweet and clear (Rashi) sweetens the other winds together with which it blows, and, were it to stop blowing, the world would cease to exist, the Torah is hinting that the Korbanos, on which the world also exists are even more effective in maintaining the world than the north wind.
Medrash Rabbah (VaYikra 2,11): Offering Kodshei Kodashim in the north in order to remember the Akeidah of Yitzchak (Tzafon meaning seeing) or the deeds of the Avos (Tzafon meaning hidden).
Avnei Nezer: The north is call Tzafon meaning hidden, since (in the northern hemisphere) it gets the least amount of sun and in a sense it is hidden from the sun. Just as the north side is hidden from the sun, thoughts are also hiddden and must therefore be atoned for in the north.
Rabenu Chananel: Why is north mentioned specifically by the Korban Olah (and not by other Kodshei Kodashim)? The Korban Olah is fully dedicated to HaShem (“completely” burnt on the Altar), just as the Avos were fully dedicated to HaShem.
Kli Yakar: Olah and Chatos are brought after a transgression. Transgressions stem from the heart, the left-side seat of uncontrolled passion. When orientated to the east, the north corresponds to one‘s left. Thus, these korbanos are slaughted on the north (left) side. By contrast Shelamin which are not brought in response to transgression may be brought anywhere in the azarah.
Maharil Diskin: In the beginning the custom was to slaughter the sacrifice on top of the Altar where the annimal was to be offered. Thus, Avrohom bound Yitzchak on top of the Altar (Bereshis 22,9). Then HaShem told Avrohom not to touch Yitzchak but to kill the goat (found nearby). Avrohom reasoned that he could not take Yitzchak down from the Altar (in event of a pasol in the goat in which case he would still sacrafice Yitzchak). Thus, Yitzchak remained על on top of the Altar. And Avrohom killed the goat by the side ירך of the Altar. Therefore, in the Bais HaMikdash the animal was schetched to the (north) side of the Altar (and not on top) to allude to the righteousness of Avrohom and Yitzchak at the Akeidah.
Shaarei Aharon: Five levels of holiness exist in the Bais HaMikdash:
- עזרת ישראל courtyard of the Israelites
- עזרת כהנים courtyard of the Cohanim
- אולם antecedent chamber
- היכל sanctuary
- קודש הקדשים Holy of Holies
The first two areas belong to the Jews; the latter two belong to HaShem. Meeting in the middle is an expression of אני לדודי ולדודי לי. From the side of HaShem the south is His right (the shulchan – Torah). From the side of the Jews their right is the north side where they bring their offerings to HaShem.
