(a) When the gemarah discusse the nessina of the dam on the mizbeiah hapenimi, it presumes that the Kohen was walking from the direction of the Kodesh Hakodashim and would past the south (north) west corner first. However, this is somewhat hard to understand because where was the Kohen getting the dam from - Presumabley, the kan (stand) was outside the heichal where it could be mixed to prevent congealing. HOwever, then the Kohen would be coming from the East. Indeed teh Mishnah seems to indicate that the kan was in the heichal, but then who was mixing it?
(b) Additionally, how was the bowl on teh kan when the gemara in pesachim seems to say that for the very reason indicated above, teh kelim did not have a shulaim so that someone would have to be constantly handling it so the dam would not congeal. In this case, how did it stay on th3e stand by itself, and alternatively why were we not worried that it would congeal.
michael rubin, bklyn, ny
Dear Michael
Thanks for your questions. The Mishnah states that the blood was placed on the Kan in the Heichal. This leaves little doubt. Since it was placed in the Heichal, nobody could possibly be stirring it, since nobody is permitted to be in the Heichal when the Kohen Gadol did Avodah in the Heichal or in the Kodesh ha'Kodoshim. Evidently, since it was placed there for a short time, there was no problem of it congealing.
Regarding your second question, I think you yourself supplied the answer. The Mizrak cannot stand on its own. In this case there was a Kan (stand) for this very purpose, to support the Mizrak.
Kol tuv.
Y. Landy