The Purifying Fire of the Burnt Offering
"This is the law of the burnt offering (Olah). It is the Olah which remains on the altar's hearth all night until morning." (Leviticus 6:2)
What is the significance of the nighttime burning of the Olah offering on the altar?
The central act in the sacrificial service is the dashing of the blood around the foundation of the altar. This dashing, or sprinkling, fulfills the primary goal of the offering: cleansing the soul and elevating the foundations of man's spiritual side: ?I gave you the blood to be placed on the altar to atone for your souls. It is the blood that atones for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)
However, lower than the soul, closer to our physical side, resides the basic life-force. This coarse force also needs to be elevated. Our physical tendencies and traits also need to be refined. The refinement comes from the powerful desire to cleave to God, flowing through the entire nation via the offering's holiness.
Therefore, the Torah emphasizes, ?It is this Olah....? The same Olah offering that elevates and ennobles the soul, also elevates and refines the baser character traits. This elevation occurs when the offering is placed on the altar's hearth. The holy Temple fire refines and purifies the physical, animalistic nature.
Yet, why is the Olah burnt at night?
During the night, our corporal side is dominant. The noble light of the soul is diminished. During this time of spiritual fatigue, the holy fire burns and purifies the offering's physical remains. This nocturnal service ensures that life will not sink in the depths of crass materialism. The offering is burnt until daybreak. When morning arrives, the soul can awaken with all its strength and light. It is ready to stand before God, alive and vibrant, in all its renewed splendor.
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Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
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Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
"This is the law of the burnt offering (Olah). It is the Olah which remains on the altar's hearth all night until morning." (Leviticus 6:2)
What is the significance of the nighttime burning of the Olah offering on the altar?
The central act in the sacrificial service is the dashing of the blood around the foundation of the altar. This dashing, or sprinkling, fulfills the primary goal of the offering: cleansing the soul and elevating the foundations of man's spiritual side: ?I gave you the blood to be placed on the altar to atone for your souls. It is the blood that atones for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)
However, lower than the soul, closer to our physical side, resides the basic life-force. This coarse force also needs to be elevated. Our physical tendencies and traits also need to be refined. The refinement comes from the powerful desire to cleave to God, flowing through the entire nation via the offering's holiness.
Therefore, the Torah emphasizes, ?It is this Olah....? The same Olah offering that elevates and ennobles the soul, also elevates and refines the baser character traits. This elevation occurs when the offering is placed on the altar's hearth. The holy Temple fire refines and purifies the physical, animalistic nature.
Yet, why is the Olah burnt at night?
During the night, our corporal side is dominant. The noble light of the soul is diminished. During this time of spiritual fatigue, the holy fire burns and purifies the offering's physical remains. This nocturnal service ensures that life will not sink in the depths of crass materialism. The offering is burnt until daybreak. When morning arrives, the soul can awaken with all its strength and light. It is ready to stand before God, alive and vibrant, in all its renewed splendor.
--------------------------------------------------------
Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.