Barry Epstein asked:
An olah requires awareness for the person for whom it will atone. Does an olah atone?
Barry Epstein, Dallas, USA
The Kollel replies:
As the Gemara teaches (Zevachim 7b), an Olah atones for transgressions of Mitzvos Aseh (failure to perform a Mitzvah), although not in the same way that a Chatas atones for those who are obligated to bring a Chatas (i.e. it is indirect atonement).
The word "Miskaper" is commonly used not in its literal sense of "the one for whom it atones," but rather to mean "the one for whom the Korban is brought on his behalf."
D. Zupnik