In light of the above, it is possible that the commandment to salt all sacrifices stems from the positive properties of salt.
Salted Sacrifices are More Respectable
Some commentators explain that the sacrifices are salted in order to enhance their flavor:
“Covenant of your God” – I brought you into a covenant and made you swear that you would not bring anything unimportant or inedible as a sacrifice, for this would show scorn. (Ibn Ezra on Lev. 2:13)
Similarly, Rabbenu Bahya states:
And according to the simple understanding of the verse: the reason for the salt is because it would not be respectful for a sacrifice to be brought before God in a way that is not respectable, without salt. And the Torah has taught us the ways of respect, for the Heavenly King is parallel to an earthly king. (Rabbenu Bahya on Lev. 2:13)
This interpretation would be perfectly acceptable if the obligation to salt sacrifices applied only to those designated to be eaten by people. However, we have yet to explain why it also applies to sacrifices that are burned completely as a total offering to God. Does it matter to God whether or not He is offered flavorful sacrifices?
Here, Rabbenu Bahya states an important principle: “The Heavenly King is parallel an earthly king.” How can one honor the Divine King? In the same way one would honor a flesh-and-blood king. Although God does not physically eat from the sacrifice, it is fitting to show Him respect in the same manner one would for a human king.
Sefer HaChinuch also explains that the salt is added to the sacrifices to enhance the flavor, but adds further significance to this point:
Among the roots of the commandments surrounding sacrifices are to make the soul of one who brings them worthy and upright. Therefore, in order to rouse the soul of the one who brings the sacrifice, he is commanded to offer things which are good and savory and that are beloved to him. And the salt is included for this same reason, so that the action shall be complete, and that nothing will be lacking according to the usual human customs, for then his heart will be all the more roused – for anything without salt is not appealing to man, neither its taste nor its smell. (Sefer HaChinuch commandment 119)
According to Sefer HaChinuch, the salt is added not to honor God, but to cause the person to feel that he is offering something respectable and thus further internalize the significance of the sacrifice.
Sacrifices Preserve Our Existence
As mentioned above, one of the positive properties of salt is its ability to endure – salt lasts forever and can even act as a preservative for other things. Sefer HaChinuch views this property as consistent with the general concept of sacrifices:
...And besides this, salt has another implicit significance, for salt preserves everything and saves one from loss or spoilage; so too, bringing a sacrifice saves one from loss, and his soul is preserved and will endure forever. (Sefer HaChinuch, commandment 119)
Sacrifices atone for man’s sins and allow him to continue to exist. According to this interpretation, adding salt to sacrifices reflects their essence: just as salt preserves existence, so too the sacrifices allow man to exist and his soul to endure.
