A Few Sacraficial Comments

[Skott]

Just a few comments/questions regarding Jewish sacrifices, timely posted on Passover/First Day of Unleavened Bread.

The first real challenge to the sacrifice system came from the Prophets during the period from 800 to 580 BC).

Didn’t David, in one of his psalms somewhat challenge sacrifices? I remember something that went like “For sacrafices thou doest not want, for to God a broken spirit is a sacrifice.” Obviously not an exact quote :), but that would pre-date even the building of the Temple.

Also, I had thought that prior to the building of the temple, sacrifices were still supposed to be made at a central location: The tabernacle (the proper name of which I forget) that was to serve as a temporary and portable temple until a fixed structure could be constructed.

An ancient mosque, the Dome of the Rock, stands on the site of the old Temple.

I’ve read in one or two places (Discover magazine possibly), that some Jews have taken measurements and found that the Temple did not go over the land occupied by the Dome of the Rock, and that the two could exists (almost literally) side by side.

Almost all Jews reject that idea–the third Temple will be built in the Messianic Era and not before.

I’ve also seen several articles on how Jews in Jeruselem are already prepared for the next temple, with all the proper clothing and ornimants (save for the Ark of the Covenant). Until recently, one thing they were missing was a red hefer and selective breeding has given that as well.

Also, a small Jewish sect attempted to lay the cornerstone to the temple a decade or so before and caused an outbreak of considerable violence when local Muslims heard about it. The state of Israel did strongly condemn the action, if I remember correctly.

Overall, a very enjoyable and informative article!

[Skott]

Some cites:
Temple placement:

A more popular theory is that of Hebrew University physicist Asher Kaufmann.5 His research—relying upon details given in the Mishna tractate known as Middot (Measurements), computations of angles of line-of-sight between the Mount of Olives where the red heifer was sacrificed, and the eastern court of the Temple where the Great Altar stood, as well as physical clues discovered around the outside of the platform that are now destroyed or hidden by the Muslims—concludes that the Temple was built on the northwestern corner of the platform only about 330 feet from the Muslim Dome of the Rock.

I guess my statement about the foundation stone attempted to laid was wrong, at least according to the Temple Mount Faithful. From http://www.templemount.org/tempprep.html:

The Temple Mount Faithful marched on the Mount and unfurled a banner denouncing the Muslim presence. New reports erroneously said that the were Jews attempting to lay a foundation stone for the Third Temple on the Temple Mount. They marched from toward the Temple but were stopped by the Israeli authorities.

Also, the clothing and vessels are not yet complete for the rebuilding of the temple, as opposed to what I had read before. Information on completing of the Ephod.

Red Heifer info (apparently it was disqualified)- http://www.jewishsf.com/bk010629/torah.shtml

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

<< I’ve also seen several articles on how Jews in Jeruselem are already prepared for the next temple, with all the proper clothing and ornimants (save for the Ark of the Covenant). Until recently, one thing they were missing was a red hefer and selective breeding has given that as well. >>

First, let’s correct your comment about “Jews in Jerusalem”… You’re talking about a VERY small sect, and I mean a VERY small sect, that is prepared to take over when the Temple is build and sacrifices are restored. They figure, they’re the only ones who’ll know what to do. This is a fringe group. The situation regarding the Temple Mount is political dynamite as things are, don’t go spreading rumours like that!

Second, the supposed “red heifer” was announced prematurely, and the announcement was retracted.

For those left puzzled, the Bible calls for certain sins to be atoned by the sacrifice of a pure red heifer, without blemish, blah blah. Such a thing has not existed for 2000 years, and the return of the red heifer is taken as a sign of the imminence of the Messianic Age. A few months (year or two?) ago, someone announced they had genetically modified blah blah and produced one. It turned out to be a false alarm – the red heifer had impurities. So we wait.

[samclem]

So, are you saying it was a red herring?