Menachot 88: The Magical Oil Used for Anointing in the Temple

We learned about liquid measurements used in the Temple in the Mishna that ended our last daf:

• one hin = 12 log
• half a hin = 6 log
• one third of a hin = 4 log
• one quarter of a hin = 3 log
• one log
• half a log
• one quarter of a log

Was there a utensil that measured a hin given that there was no need for that measure in the Temple?  Rabbi Shimon suggests that this is the case.  The Gemara agrees, but it notes that there may have been a service that required a hin measurement.   The anointing oil was originally given for the tabernacles, the utensils and the priests.  Originally Moses was told to take a full hin of oil for that anointing (Shemot 30:24-25). Did the measurement remain in the Temple after it had been used?  Rabbi Shimon is convincing when he argues that the hin measure would have been removed once it was set aside.

Steinsaltz teaches us about the commentaries on the Gemara.  It is suggested that the tin measure was not needed because Moshe's original oil never ran out.  Magically it remained full for generations.  Masechet Horayot (11b) teaches that King Yoshiyahu hid the measure of oil in the Temple along with the Ark and the container of manna because of the destruction of the Temple that was imminent.  That container of oil is said to be used to anoint the Temple when it will be rebuilt in the future.  And since the original hin of oil will never run out, it is not necessary to find another container that measures a hin of oil.