justliz axed:

If G-d does not require blood sacrifice, why did he decree it?

But shalom should be able to correct where I went wrong

Liz,

NoJC4me did the topic justice - at least from the tradional Jewish perspective.  Perhaps the best scripture verse I can think of to explain G-d's expections and man's potential is Genesis Chapter 4.  G-d notices Cain is depressed (for lack of a better term).  G-d reminds Cain that he has a choice - he could overcome sin - on his own - by making the choise to 'look up' (which could be interpreted many ways including stepping back and evaluating the situation at a higher level).  Cain didn't choose good, but that does not mean he was destined to choose evil either.  Our scriptures do not say so, but there is every possibility that after leaving for Nod, Cain was able to master his desires and became righteous before G-d, as Noah, and many other persons mentioned in our scriptures.

The notion of being permanently separated from G-d is not a Jewish thought. David who was considered "a man after G-d own heart" didn't always make the correct choices.  Yet he never considered G-d abandoing him (see Psalms 139). Even in death, the individual is not removed from G-d. With that in mind, my motivation is not fear, but maturity (I trust) - knowing G-d gave me everything I need to do right.  I can't blame a devil - I can only blame myself.

Judaism does talk about 'being cut off from the people" - but that is not the same as being cut off from G-d.  Our scriptures are full of stories of men touched by G-d for his purpose, just as G-d touched those whom we consider prophets and leaders.  In other words, being kicked out of the tribe does not remove one from G-d.

To sum up, the notion that mankind is doomed and separated from G-d (because of Original Sin), is not a Jewish concept.  Neither is the notion that G-d is blood lusty and demands bloody sacrifices.  In fact, if given the choice, G-d says in our scriptures that prefers a contrite heart over any spilt blood.  

Shalom

Thank you for those comments.

If I'm understanding you both correctly then, G-d did not establish the sacrifices laid out in Leviticus for His benefit, but rather because the children of Israel wanted to be like other people so G-d gave them what they wanted?

And, while nobody ever does live a sinless life, that isn't enough to remove a person from G-d's grace and mercy.

If that is so, why does Leviticus make so many references to the sacrifices being a "sweet savour unto the Lord?" (KJV)  I did a study on that once and discovered that, over and over, the sacrifices were described that way.

Why would G-d establish a system - decree a law - that he really didn't believe in?  Considering how big of a problem the children of Israel going after other gods was, wouldn't it have made more sense to tell the children, "No, you don't have to do that.  I'm not like that.  I don't require that.  My grace is sufficient for you."

In February, my local hospital took me to small claims court.  I took my husband into the walk in clinic for a shot of Demerol for a migraine.  Recently a new hospital was built with the walk in clinic and emergency room combined.  The hospital determined that a $100 shot of Demerol in the walk in clinic was insufficient and instead gave my husband $1500 worth of IV therapy in the emergency room.  They claimed that it was medically necessary because his pain was so severe.  They did this after I specifically told them that we didn't have health insurance, that I knew E.R. charges were considerably more than walk-in and very clearly told them I was not authorizing E.R. services but walk-in services only.  I won the case because I was able to establish that migraines of the same severity were treated in the past with a shot of Demerol.  A treatment cannot be both medically necessary and not medically necessary at the same time.

I give this rather long winded example as a comparison.  How can sacrifices be both decreed under G-d's law and not necessary at the same time?  I hope I'm not coming across as argumentative here.  I don't mean to - I really am curious about this issue.

In the episode with Cain, wasn't Cain down because his sacrifice was not accepted while Abel's was?

What is the Jewish position on the afterlife?

Without sacrifices, how does one repent of their sins?

And, what is the Jewish position on the Fall?  What exactly happened and what are the consequences of that?

JustLiz asked,

"What is the Jewish position on the afterlife?"  

To which shalom replied,

"A mixed bag actually - but more importantly, the 'next life' is not a major focus of Judaism."

While this is true, that doesn't necessarily mean the Jews left the question, "What happens when we die?" unanswered.
I have been told the following is a fair assessment of what happens when we die.

When we die, we pass from this existence to the Presence of G-d. There can be no greater reward for a G-d--fearing person than that. There can also be no greater punishment for the sinner than that. Either way, every thought, every action, every failure to take action, is an open book to HaShem, and when you are in His Presence, you will come to know exactly what that means. Until then, we can only guess.
Good deeds you have performed will be rewarded. Trust in that; it's true. The Divine Judge can be counted upon to be Just. But always remember, G-d is also Merciful.
Sins that you have committed unintentionally, but have already repented of because you fear G-d, will not be remembered or counted against you. As scripture says, G-d becomes a Shield for the penitent.
Sins you have committed unintentionally, but not repented of, will have to be atoned for, but that is not as harsh as it might sound. Your sins will be burned away from your soul in a process that (it is said) takes up to eleven months. As I understand it, the worse the sin, the more unpleasant the process of "burning away" the sin is. This is probably where the Catholics got their concept of "Purgatory."
Sins you have committed intentionally, but have not repented of, are dealt with much more harshly than unintentional sins, but if you merit any reward because of good deeds, all is not yet lost. You may be allowed another chance to return to Earth in another life and atone for, or reverse your error there. A Jew who falls into apostasy, such as accepting Jc as his savior, will probably be afforded this kind of opportunity.
A person who has racked up more and worse sins than good deeds is facing a more severe punishment yet, but even that is a mercy. "The soul that sins, it shall die." The unrepentant and intentional sinner's soul is snuffed out like the flame on a candle. The blessings he enjoyed on Earth are his only reward. "The day he dies, his thoughts perish." as Psalm 146 says.
Sins that you have committed, but repented of because you Love G-d, will be counted as if they were mitzvoth, since they are intentional acts you committed on your path to learning of, and serving the One True G-d.
Making restitution, giving charity, visiting the sick, and fasting can all affect the scales, and balance out sins, or even outweigh your sins.
For a better explanation, Aish HaTorah has a piece called, "What happens when you die? And how can the way you're living now affect that eternal reality?" at http://aish.com/

Sins you have committed unintentionally, but not repented of, will have to be atoned for, but that is not as harsh as it might sound.

Why can't such a soul (using nephesh in the biblical sense, not pagan notion) simply express remorse/repentance and be forgiven? Why must there be atonement? Why not just forgiveness?

Your sins will be burned away from your soul in a process that (it is said) takes up to eleven months. As I understand it, the worse the sin, the more unpleasant the process of "burning away" the sin is. This is probably where the Catholics got their concept of "Purgatory."

How are such sins burned away? How can Jews or Catholics believe in such pagan ideas?

You may be allowed another chance to return to Earth in another life and atone for, or reverse your error there.

Further descent into paganism with offers of reincarnation.

"The soul that sins, it shall die." The unrepentant and intentional sinner's soul is snuffed out like the flame on a candle. The blessings he enjoyed on Earth are his only reward. "The day he dies, his thoughts perish." as Psalm 146 says.

Yes, the Bible teaches death is the cessation of life - not the transmigration of souls or reincarnation or purgatory (Jewish or Catholic versions) - and when all stand before the Judge they are either accepted and given the gift of eternal life or condemned and destroyed in the Lake of Fire - the second death from which there is no resurrection.

Making restitution, giving charity, visiting the sick, and fasting can all affect the scales, and balance out sins, or even outweigh your sins.

Sounds like community service folks on parole might do. We're to do those things for selfless reasons, except for the restitution which is for the sake of justice, otherwise isn't it just going through the motions? Is God impressed with that? I think not.

Aish HaTorah has a piece called, "What happens when you die? And how can the way you're living now affect that eternal reality?" at http://aish.com/

Sounds interesting, but you already provided the answer from the Bible: the dead know nothing, their thoughts perish with them, which is why the Bible speaks of the resurrection  - several of them, actually.

"Sins you have committed unintentionally, but not repented of, will have to be atoned for, but that is not as harsh as it might sound."

Why can't such a soul (using nephesh in the biblical sense, not pagan notion) simply express remorse/repentance and be forgiven? Why must there be atonement? Why not just forgiveness?

Because God wants us to help make the world a better place and earn our portion in the world to come, and a law with no "teeth" is not a law, it's "advice."

Your sins will be burned away from your soul in a process that (it is said) takes up to eleven months. As I understand it, the worse the sin, the more unpleasant the process of "burning away" the sin is. This is probably where the Catholics got their concept of "Purgatory."

How are such sins burned away? How can Jews or Catholics believe in such pagan ideas?

I don't know the "how," and what makes you think punishment for sin is a pagan idea?

You may be allowed another chance to return to Earth in another life and atone for, or reverse your error there.

Further descent into paganism with offers of reincarnation.

What makes you think the idea of reincarnation is pagan? Okay, sure, reincarnation is found in (some) pagan religions, but so is the belief in a god, does that make belief in a god a pagan idea?

"The soul that sins, it shall die." The unrepentant and intentional sinner's soul is snuffed out like the flame on a candle. The blessings he enjoyed on Earth are his only reward. "The day he dies, his thoughts perish." as Psalm 146 says.

Yes, the Bible teaches death is the cessation of life - not the transmigration of souls or reincarnation or purgatory (Jewish or Catholic versions) - and when all stand before the Judge they are either accepted and given the gift of eternal life or condemned and destroyed in the Lake of Fire - the second death from which there is no resurrection.

That's fine for you to believe, as far as I am concerned. I prefer to let go and let God.

Making restitution, giving charity, visiting the sick, and fasting can all affect the scales, and balance out sins, or even outweigh your sins.

Sounds like community service folks on parole might do. We're to do those things for selfless reasons, except for the restitution which is for the sake of justice, otherwise isn't it just going through the motions? Is God impressed with that? I think not.

We can do nothing for God or to God. God is not improved when we obey Him, nor injured if we don't. Community service is performed for a number of reasons, including to make a person feel useful or better about him/herself. I see no reason to diminish their efforts by questioning their motives. If it's worth doing, more power to those who will do it.
However, God DOES want us to do the right thing.

Aish HaTorah has a piece called, "What happens when you die? And how can the way you're living now affect that eternal reality?" at http://aish.com/

Sounds interesting, but you already provided the answer from the Bible: the dead know nothing, their thoughts perish with them, which is why the Bible speaks of the resurrection  - several of them, actually.

The Aish folks DO give answers from the Bible. You'd know that if you had looked at the site.