Under the Old Covenant, the sacrificial system involved the offering of animals such as bulls, sheep, goats, and turtle doves, which were slaughtered at the altar, shedding significant amounts of blood as an act of worship before the God of heaven and earth. Some sacrifices were completely burnt upon the altar, while others were partially burned and shared, and certain offerings were required to be accompanied by additional offerings. The literal slaying of an animal, though seemingly archaic, carries principles that remain relevant, designed by God for the understanding and benefit of His children. The practice of animal sacrifice likely began with Adam and Eve, with the first recorded instance involving Cain and Abel, where Abel's offering was accepted due to his adherence to God's instructions. For the average Israelite, offering an unblemished animal was a deeply personal act, as their family's holdings of animals were small, and the chosen animal was often bound to the family, bearing a name and shared experiences, making it almost like a member of the household. This emotional connection heightened the sense of sacrifice, unlike the detachment often felt when giving money. In the context of the burnt offering, as described in Leviticus 1:3-5, the person making the offering had to choose a male animal without blemish, offering it of their own free will at the door of the tabernacle before the Lord. Laying hands on the animal's head symbolized a transference, making the animal represent the offerer, who then had to kill it by slitting its throat, an act charged with emotion as the animal, familiar to the family, became a symbol of the self being offered to God. This act was not focused on death but on the giving of a life, reflecting the concept of being a living sacrifice in ongoing relationship with God.