"This is the law of the burnt offering ('Olah'). It is the offering which remains on the altar's hearth all night until morning."  (Lev. 6:2)

What is the significance of the nighttime burning of the Olah offering on the altar?

Uplifting both our spiritual and physical aspects

The most important ceremony in the sacrificial service is dashing the blood around the foundation of the altar. What is the meaning of this ritual? The blood represents the soul. Dashing the blood on the altar fulfills the primary goal of the offering — cleansing and purifying the soul. "It is the blood that atones for the soul."  (Lev. 17:11) This service elevates the foundations of our spiritual side.

However, there is a lower aspect of life, residing closer to our physical side, our basic life-force. This aspect of life also needs to be elevated. We seek to refine even our physical tendencies and traits. This refinement comes from the powerful yearning to be close to God that flows through the entire nation by way of the holy service.

For this reason, the Torah emphasizes: "It is the (same) Olah". The same Olah offering that elevates and ennobles the soul, also refines our baser character traits. While the soul is uplifted when the blood is dashed around the altar, the lower life-force is elevated when the offering is burned on the altar's hearth. The holy Temple fire refines and purifies our physical nature.

Why is the offering burnt at night?

During the night, our corporal side is dominant. The noble light of the soul is diminished. During this hour of spiritual fatigue, the altar's holy fire burns and purifies the offering's physical remains. The nocturnal service ensures that life will not sink into the depths of crass materialism.

The offering is burnt until daybreak. When morning arrives, our soul awakens with all of its strength and light. It is ready to stand before God, alive and vibrant, in renewed splendor.

(adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. I, p. 122)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison