4,136. Skinning the Animal
Hilchos Maasei Hakarbanos 6:4
After cutting up the limbs of a burnt offering, all of the pieces are brought to the ramp of the altar and salted there, after which they are brought to the top of the altar. The gid hanesheh (the sciatic nerve) is removed on top of the altar and discarded on the ash heap in its center. All the limbs are thrown on the altar, as per Deuteronomy 12:27: “the flesh and the blood.” Just as the blood is thrown on the altar, the same is true of the flesh. After tossing them on the altar, they are arranged on the fire, as per Leviticus 1:12: “the kohein shall arrange them.” If limbs were roasted before being brought on the altar, they are not considered “a pleasing aroma to God” (which is the intention of the offerings).
Hilchos Maasei Hakarbanos 6:5
Burnt offerings were cut as follows: the animal’s leg wasn’t broken; rather, a hole was made in it, from which it was hung and skinned. If the case of an ox (which was particularly large), it was skinned without being hung. The animal is skinned until the chest, at which point the head is removed and given to a kohein. The feet are then removed and given to a different kohein. The skinning is then completed, the heart is torn open and its blood removed. The forelegs are then removed and given to still another kohein. The right hindleg is given to the kohein who merited carrying the head; the animal’s testes are included with it. Finally, the animal is torn open, revealing the intestines. The fat is taken and placed on the animal's head, on top of the point of slaughter. The innards are given to still another kohein.
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