Better a Ram Brought With Good Deeds Than a Fattened Ox

It was taught in another source: One might think that one who says "I take upon myself a burnt offering" should bring wood from his own house, just as he brings the libations from his own house; therefore Scripture says "upon the wood," and so on — just as the altar, and so on. What is the difference between them? New wood and old wood. And old wood may not be used? But is it not written, "And Araunah said to David: Let my lord the king take and offer up what is good in his eyes; behold the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the implements of the oxen for wood" (II Samuel 24:22)? There too it was with new wood. "And its inwards and its legs he shall wash" (Leviticus 1:9). One might think this applies even if they became mixed with disqualified portions; therefore Scripture says "and its inwards" — I would exclude what became mixed with disqualified portions, but not exclude what became mixed with the most holy offerings or with lesser holy offerings; therefore Scripture says "and its inwards and its legs." Concerning the ox it says "its inwards and its legs," and concerning the ram it says "the inwards and the legs" (Leviticus 1:13). What is the difference between ox and ram? An ox lacks woof and warp [coverage by hide, requiring extra rinsing]; a ram does not lack woof and warp. The Sages said: We learned the manner of offering for the ox from the ram. I said to them: My masters, I am dust beneath the soles of your feet; let me say one thing before you. Twelve chieftains came for the dedication of the altar, and there "offering" is stated regarding the ram and not regarding the ox. So that a person should not say, "I will go and do ugly deeds, deeds that are unfit, and bring an ox that has much meat on it — perhaps the Holy One, blessed be He, will show me favor." Rather, let a person do good deeds and study Torah, and bring even a ram, which has little for the fires, and behold, I am with him in mercy and receive him in repentance.