How was the Water Libation ceremony observed?
– A golden flagon holding three logs – 1 log = kav (about litre) – would be filled from the Shiloah – a fresh water spring in Jerusalem. Three logs is the smallest volume of liquid set for any drink-offering of wine, i.e., hin for the sacrifice of a sheep. When they – the Kohanim who had filled the flagon, and the accompanying crowd – reached the Water Gate – one of the southern gates of the Temple courtyard, so named since through it the flagon of water for the libation on Sukkot would be carried into the Temple precincts (Shekalim 6:3), They sounded a Teki’ah, Teru’ah and Teki’ah – to comply with the prophecy “And with joy, shall you draw water” (Isa. 12:3). He – the Kohen chosen to perform this rite – would ascend the ramp – leading up to the altar, to the south of it – and turn to his left – to the southwestern “horn” (corner) of the altar, where the libations were poured out. In (Zevahim 6:3) we read that “All who ascend the altar do so on the right (i.e., east side of the ramp) a
