3,898. Sanctifying the Temple Vessels

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 1:12

All the Temple vessels that Moshe made were only sanctified by anointing them with the anointing oil, as per Numbers 7:1: “He anointed and sanctified them.” This was not the procedure in later generations. Rather, the utensils became sanctified by being used for their purposes in the Temple. This is derived from Numbers 4:12: “they will serve with them in the holy,” meaning that they are sanctified through their use.

Hilchos Klei HaMikdash 1:13

The spoons and bowls that held the flour offerings, the basins used to catch the blood, and the other Temple utensils were all made of silver and gold, though it was permitted to make them of other metals, as was previously discussed (in Hilchos Beis HaBechirah chapter 1). They become sanctified by being used for their purposes. If they get broken, they should be melted down and used to make a Temple utensil. This is because their sanctity never leaves them.