What was the Kiyor? How was it used?
Rashi: It was a large (urn-like) basin fitted with taps from which the Kohanim washed their hands and feet.
Targum Yonasan (on Pasuk 19): They washed from it, not directly, but by means of a Tahor vessel. 1
See Na'ar Yonasan.
What was the Kan of the Kiyor?
Oznayim la'Torah (citing Tosfos in Zevachim): It was a large box-like 1 receptacle in which the Kiyor stood.
Though it was probably round.
Where was the Kan placed?
Why was the Kiyor not mentioned in Terumah together with the other Keilim?
Seforno: Because its purpose was to prepare the Kohanim for the Avodah, and not to bring the Shechinah down to this world, like the other Keilim.
Oznayim la'Torah: Refer to 30:1:2:2 and note.
Why did the Torah not discuss the Kiyor after the Mizbe'ach ha'Zahav - at the end of Tetzaveh?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because, whereas they performed the Avodah of Ketores on the Mizbe'ach ha'Zahav, the Kiyor was only used for preparing for the Avodah or for entering the Ohel Mo'ed - which explains why it is discussed next to the manufacture of the Shemen ha'Mishchah and the Ketores ha'Samim, which are also only a preparation for the Avodah.
Why does the Pasuk repeat the word "Nechoshes" after "ve'Chano"?
Zevachim, 22a: To teach us that the base is only compared to the basin regarding the material from which it was made, but not regarding the power to sanctify - which it did not possess.
What was the significance of the Kiyor, which was made from the donations of the women who assembled at the entrance of the Ohel Mo'ed?
See Rashi Vayakhel, 38:8.
Oznayim la'Torah: Yisrael by the Eigel were guilty of Avodah Zarah, Shefichus Damim (when they killed Chur) and Giluy Arayos. 1 They attained atonement for the sin of Avodah Zarah by donating the Machtzis ha'Shekel; for the sin of Shefichas Damim, by the appointment of Betzal'el, Chur's grandson, and for the sin of Giluy Arayos by the donation of the women's mirrors, which are made for the Yeitzer ha'Ra of Ta'avah, which the women had negated.
