Daf Yomi - Yoma 48 - Holy Hands

The Gemora asks a שאלה as to what the halacha would be if the ketores which was in the hands of the kohen gadol spilled onto the floor, will he be allowed to gather it up. The basis for this question is how do we view his hands. Are his hands like the animal's neck and therefore it will be פסול (similar to blood that spilled from the neck of the animal) or do we consider his hands like a כלי שרת and hence it will be כשר. The Ritva explains why his hands should be considered a כלי by quoting the previous Gemora, that in truth the Torah does not mention the use of a utensil by the ketores. It is used because there was no method to bring the handful of ketores by hand together with the pan containing the coals, consequently, one can say that the kohen's hands served as the כלי.

Tosfos poses a solution to the dilemma of that Gemora, based on our Gemora that his hands will be regarded as a כלי שרת. He can hold the ketores in his hands and place the מחתה on top of it. When he enters the Kodesh Kodoshim, let him loosen his hands enabling the ketores to fall to the ground, place the coals down and then scoop up the ketores (which will now be allowed) and put it on the coals.