4,040. Removing the Ashes and Arranging the Woodpile

Hilchos Bias HaMikdash 9:8

Removing the ashes must be done by a kohein, as per Leviticus 6:3: “The kohein shall don his linen garment....” If a Yisroel removes the ashes, he is liable to the penalty of lashes but not to a Divine death penalty, even though this service is not followed by another service. This is because Numbers 18:7 speaks of “a service of gift” – a “service of gift” must be performed only by a kohein. If a non-kohein offers a sacrifice, he is subject to a Divine death penalty, but removing the ashes does not. Similarly, if a non-kohein cleaned the inner altar or the Menorah, he is not subject to a Divine death penalty.

Hilchos Bias HaMikdash 9:9

If a non-kohein arranged the woodpile, it is disassembled and then arranged again by a kohein, because the non-kohein’s arrangement is invalid.