The answer is: His hand

Lev 1:4 - Laying a hand on the head of the burnt offering symbolized the transfer of the offerer's sins to the sacrifice.

In the fascinating rituals of ancient Israel, the burnt offering acts as a poignant reminder of repentance and atonement. When a priest laid his hand on the head of the sacrifice, it was not just an ordinary gesture. This act symbolized the weight of sin being transferred from the worshipper to the innocent animal. It's like a heartfelt exchange, almost like sharing a burden with someone you trust.

This practice is remarkably significant in biblical narrative; it resonates with a much larger theme of sacrifice that appears throughout scripture. Think about Abraham with Isaac, where what’s at stake is a cherished relationship symbolized by an act of obedience and trust. The theme carries forward, echoed in the stories of atonement, leading us to understand human fragility in the face of sacred covenant.

Trivia time! Did you know that the Hebrew word for sacrifice, "korban," stems from a root meaning "to come close"? The act of offering wasn't just about burning flesh; it was essentially a way to bridge the gap between the divine and the human, drawing participants into a closer relationship with God. Also, burnt offerings had a non-elite and communal character; everyone, from a peasant to a king, could engage in their performance fulfilling the innate desire to restore harmony after wrongs. This shows that connecting with the sacred is a universal human experience transcending time!