Question pertaining to atonement in the Jewish faith.

[dawny0826]

Hello.

I have a question pertaining to the Jewish faith.

I am a Christian and make this inquiry respectfully. I'm truly curious...

I've been reading through Exodus and Leviticus (slowly yet surely working my way through the Old Testament of the bible ) and I'm reading about God's instruction to Moses as to how Israel was to atone for their sins...with the burnt offerings and so on and so forth.

I was curious as to how those who are Jewish atone for their sins now in modern times.

Thanks for your time and input and wishing you many blessings.

 

[Deut 13:1]

Hello.

Shalom.

I have a question pertaining to the Jewish faith.

Okay.

I am a Christian and make this inquiry respectfully. I'm truly curious...

Okay.

I've been reading through Exodus and Leviticus (slowly yet surely working my way through the Old Testament of the bible ) and I'm reading about God's instruction to Moses as to how Israel was to atone for their sins...with the burnt offerings and so on and so forth.

Okay, take your time if it's the first time reading them... What translation do you currently rely on if you don't mind me asking?

I was curious as to how those who are Jewish atone for their sins now in modern times.

Okay, before I answer this it's important to make a important note aboute animal sacrifice...the most important aspect of it is for the person to internalize that it should really be him that this sacrifice should be done to. The Hebrew word for sacrifice is korban. It's from the same root as the word karov, which means close. I'm sure you can figure out the connection...

In modern times, we say prayers that *temporarly* take the place of the animal sacrifice that would happen at that particular time. It's said 3 times a day during the time that the animal sacrifice would happen. On Shabbas it's said 4 times. It's called the Shemone Esreh or the Amidah.

There is a deeper symbolic element to sacrifice that Judaism focus'es on... In Judaism, the soul is divided into two different parts, the animal soul and the G-dly soul. By sacrificng the animal aspect, you're brining yourelf closer to the G-dly part.

Thanks for your time and input and wishing you many blessings.

Yup.

 

[sushannah]

When there is no Temple the only remedy for sin is Teshuvah. Teshuvah means simply "return" to G-d. This involves regretting the past and making a resolution not to repeat the offense. Judaism is about a relationship with G-d. If you sin it is like you took a break from that relationship. Teshuvah atones for all sins no matter how grave they may be. Even if a person sinned his entire life and repents at the last moment, that person is forgiven and his sins are not mentioned during the Day of Judgement (Ezekiel 33:12; Maimonides, law of repentance 1:8). Merely offering a sacrifice is not all that was required for atonement for sin in the tanakh. One who sins is commanded to repent and confess his sins (Numbers 5:6-7)

 

[dawny0826]

I appreciate the responses.

To answer Binyamin's question...I'm partial to the New King James Version of the Bible, although, I do compare my KJV to other versions when I study. My primary focus is on the NT, of course but I make sure to study from the OT as well, as I feel driven to have a good understanding of both.

It all TRULY amazes me and humbles me on a daily basis. I'm just in awe of our awesome God.

Thanks again.

 

[standing_on_one_foot]

And of course there's Yom Kippur, which is sort of the last opportunity of the year for atoning. Basically you have to make up for your sins both to G-d (prayer now, no more animal sacrifices) and, whenever possible, to whomever you've harmed. Both parts are important. You also have to stop your bad behavior, of course, you can't just say you're sorry and then go back to doing it.

Mind, you're supposed to try to atone whenever you've done something that needs atoning, but Yom Kippur's a little like New Year's resolutions. It's a time set aside to make sure you do what you should have done but were putting off. Get a clean start to the year, sort of thing.

 

[jewscout]

yeah but Yom Kippur isn't exactly a get outta jail free card. You still have to make the commitment to not mess up again.

 

[Avi]

For the specifics, I found this site to be enlightening:

http://www.aish.com/hhGrowth/hhGrowthDefault/Teshuva_Dry_Cleaning_For_the_Soul.asp

 

[Deut 13:1]

I appreciate the responses.

No problem.

To answer Binyamin's question...I'm partial to the New King James Version of the Bible, although, I do compare my KJV to other versions when I study. My primary focus is on the NT, of course but I make sure to study from the OT as well, as I feel driven to have a good understanding of both.

How do you reconcile the fact that the KJV has refused to fix blatent mistranslations that decieve people into believing something that clearly is not there.

It all TRULY amazes me and humbles me on a daily basis. I'm just in awe of our awesome God.

Happens to the best of us.

Thanks again.

Yup.

 

[dawny0826]

Sorry about all of that...

 

[dawny0826]

How do you reconcile the fact that the KJV has refused to fix blatent mistranslations that decieve people into believing something that clearly is not there.

Can you expound a bit on the mistranslations? What really isn't there?

 

[Deut 13:1]

Can you expound a bit on the mistranslations? What really isn't there?

Certainly, although I believe already have here.

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23224

You'll notice the OP is by someone known for posting long rants and never defending them. I've addressed maybe 5 in great depth and others with a quick couple lines. Some are mistranslations, some are Christians inventing new words. For example, any first grader knows that an ari is a lion, any second grader knows the ki' prefix means like or as. So when we have the word, ki'ari, why oh why, do Christian texts such as the KJV say "pierced" instead of "Like a lion"?

It's simple stuff like that. Enjoy the thread, should be a good read.

 

[dawny0826]

I have another question. I think I'm beginning to understand how you atone for sins now but I'm curious when and how did atonement change...how did that evolvement take place? How did it go from sacrificial and burnt offerings to Teshuvah (is that right?)? What there a particular event or decree that changed that or was it a gradual transition?

 

[Deut 13:1]

I have another question. I think I'm beginning to understand how you atone for sins now but I'm curious when and how did atonement change...how did that evolvement take place? How did it go from sacrificial and burnt offerings to Teshuvah (is that right?)? What there a particular event or decree that changed that or was it a gradual transition?

The temple being destroyed.

 

[dawny0826]

The temple being destroyed.

After the death of Christ? THAT temple?

 

[dawny0826]

Who initated Teshuvah (apologies if I'm not using the correct term)?

 

[Deut 13:1]

After the death of Christ? THAT temple?

The very same.

 

[dawny0826]

The very same.

Is there any particular reason why a new temple was not built?

 

[Deut 13:1]

Who initated Teshuvah (apologies if I'm not using the correct term)?

It's always been around, Cain was the first to do Teshuva el Adonai Elohekha.

 

[Deut 13:1]

Is there any particular reason why a new temple was not built?

Several, do you know the exact location to the hundreth of a inch of all the dimensions?

 

[dawny0826]

Several, do you know the exact location to the hundreth of a inch of all the dimensions?

Exact location? No, of course not. I think I found an answer to my question. Thanks for your time.