A question for i-girl (Or other Jewish posters)

Hi i-girl -

I have a question that I hope you can answer. Please don't take offense at this - I am only trying to learn more about the Jewish faith in today's world. The question is:

Why do modern-day Jews not follow all of the laws outlined in the Old Testament, specifically animal sacrifices? When the old testament indicates that, for example, when one touches something unclean, aren't they supposed to offer a sacrifice to God for that? How does that get done today?

Also, do you have any info on when the practice was discontinued? We were discussing this issue in a Bible study last night, and no one knew the answer. I thought you might be able to help.

Thanks!

-Nash-

Bump!

bump! :wavey:

I am not Jewish but I have a good friend who is so I asked her your question. This is what she told me.

The reason is because those said sacrifices were originally mandated by God to take place only within their original temple (beginning in the book of Exodus). When that temple was desecrated by the Babylonians (in the book of Daniel) and the Jews were taken into captivity, those said sacrifices could no longer take place. So in essence, what Jews are waiting for is their messiah to come and restore peace, a real homeland, including full control of Jerusalem and finally for this messiah to rebuild a new temple on the site of the original temple with all the same specs as the original for the Jews. Then their sacrificial duties to God will continue. As for how those types of sacrifices are made up for today with no temple, prayer, living a good life and observance of the holy days are some of the ways that this is made up for.

Thanks, Marcus! :wavey:

I understand the response, but I'm still a bit confused. Weren't animal sacrifices continued in the second temple (which was destroyed many years later)?

I think what your friend is saying is that without a temple, no sacrfices can be made. Is that right? So, if and when a third temple is constructed, sacrifices will be made again.

Any Jewish posters out there to confirm???

Thanks,

-Nash-

I'm not i-girl, and I'm not Jewish either, but the question piqued my curiosity and I found these two links in case your interested (even if you're not - it's something to read while you're waiting for i-girl ;)) :

http://www.art.man.ac.uk/RELTHEOL/JEWISH/Peiser.htm

http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Judaism/qorbanot.html

Thanks, Griffin!