At first, whoever wanted to remove [the ashes] from the Altar, did so. In case there were many, they ran and ascended the ramp, and whoever preceded his colleague into the four cubits, won.  If two of them were even, the administrator would say to them, “Put out a finger.” What did they put out? One or two [fingers], but they did not put out a thumb in the Temple.

It once happened that two were even as they ran and ascended the ramp, and one of them pushed his colleague; he fell and his leg was broken. Once the Court realized that there was a danger, they instituted that they not remove [the ashes] from the Altar, except by lot.  There were four lots there; this is the first lot.

The second lot was [to determine] who slaughters; who throws [the blood]; who clears the ashes from the Inner Altar; who clears the ashes from the Menorah; and who brings the limbs [of the daily burnt offering] to the ramp —- the head and the hind leg, the two forelegs, the tail and the hind leg, the breast and the neck, the two sides, and the intestines —- the fine flour, the chavitin meal offering, and the wine. Thirteen Kohanim won it.  Ben Azzai, in Rabbi Akiva's presence, quoted Rabbi Yehoshua: It was offered in the same way as it walked.

The third lot —- “Those new to the incense, come and draw lots!”  And the fourth [lot was for] new and old; [to determine] who takes the limbs up from the ramp to the Altar.