The King Wipes the Bowl and the Whole Offering Rises

Another interpretation: "as in the days of old" — as in the days of Noah, as it is written, "For this is to Me like the waters of Noah," and so forth (Isaiah 54:9). "And as in former years" — as in the years of Abel, when there was no idolatry in the world. Rabbi Avin said: a parable, to a king who was reclining at his banquet table, and they brought him a dish and he ate it and it pleased him, and he began to scrape the bowl clean. This is what is written, "Fatlings I will offer up to You" (Psalms 66:15) — like one who scrapes the bowl clean. Rabbi Avin said another: a parable, to a king who was traveling in the wilderness. He entered the first lodge and ate there and drank there; he reached the second lodge, ate there and drank there and slept there. Why was he astonished? "This is the Torah of the burnt offering, it is the burnt offering" — rather, it teaches that the whole burnt offering goes entirely to the fires. "And the fire of the altar shall be kept burning in it" (Leviticus 6:2). Rabbi Pinchas said: "the fire of the altar shall be kept burning upon it" is not written here, but rather "in it" — the altar itself was kept burning with fire.