Tzav (Part 2) - Lev. 6:1-7:36

When speaking of the olah (burnt) offering, both here and in chapter 2, there is a term associated with it that many people ignore: azkarah (or azkartah, depending on the gender). Some translations will use "memorial", although "remembrance" is probably a better English word to use. The root, Z-Ch-R, means "remember", and many Jews, on the anniversary of the death of a loved one, will have an azkarah ceremony.

But how is a pleasing fragrance for YHVH, which He shares with no one, (unlike some of the other offerings, when the humans would share in the portion), a remembrance?

It should be noted that the Akkadian cognate of the word means "token", and that may give some insight into the use.

Rashi, citing the sifra, claims that when someone brings an ohlah as a fragrant smelling remembrance for YHVH, it means that YHVH will remember and bestow blessings upon the person(s) offering it to Him.

Many, including the Targum Onkelos, are uncomfortable with these anthropomorphisms. He changes "offering to YHVH" to "offering before YHVH", to eliminate the view that He is physically present. He also does not translate the word into Aramaic, but leaves it alone. When Onkelos does that, it's as if he is tossing his hands up and going, "I am NOT touching that!"

I suppose one could also read "remembrance" going in the other direction, meaning, that the person is offering it to remember and honor YHVH.

Except that while there are types of olah that are voluntary, that are daily ones that YHVH demands, and a fire that must never go out, and the savory smell of burnt meat is required to be present every day, an offering that is for YHVH alone.

And as we read in the book of Judges, when Jephthah vows to give YHVH and olah if the Jews will win the war (unfortunately, his daughter was the offering), it is a form of a bribe, a token, to encourage YHVH to do something in return.

And because of that, and other examples, and the Akkadian cognate, and the Targum's refusal to translate the word, I am suggesting that the sifra was correct in having it be something that God will remember and do good. It is a token offering, where "token" means something that is used for an exchange of services or goods.

A bribe.

And if this is the case, what of the olah that YHVH demands to be given daily, and repeatedly? If He demanding a bribe in order to keep bestowing good upon the people (or that is the line given to the people by the priesthood)?

It is something to ponder!