Rachel at Velveteen Rabbi has posted an amazing poem on the subject of sacrifice – go and read.
In the commentary, she says “The English word ‘sacrifice’ suggests giving something up; the Hebrew word korban connotes something like ‘drawing-near.’ ”
I find this linguistic twist very interesting, since as a modern pagan I find that the latter connotation is actually how I think of sacrifice as well. In my religious world, sacrifices and offerings are a methodology for establishing and maintaining a relationship with the Gods – it’s a form of prayer that encodes a particular theological understanding. Our Gods, while they are spiritual beings, are still a part of the physical universe, not apart from it; and that is why, at least in my understanding of it, sacrifices and offerings are acceptable to them.
It’s not the roasting that matters,
…
but anticipation, and gratitude.
So that what burns bright
on the altars of our hearts
sends a pleasing odor to Adonai.
Executive Pagan 