Why don't modern day Jews make sacrifices?

Question

This is a sincere question I have after reading about the really specific ways sacrifices were to be made in Leviticus. If Jews are still under the "old" law, why don't they make sacrifices for their sins? How else do they expect to be redeemed? Again, I'm not asking this in an accusing or "aha" way, I genuinly would like an explanation (preferably from a person of the Jewish faith).

If sacrifices stopped with the destruction of the temple, how do Jews receive atonement now? No high priests means no atonement, right? Again, I'm not Jewish, so I don't know everything, nor do I claim to. Thanks for most of the responses so far. :)

I'm getting closer to an answer I'm satisfied with (and by that I mean I completely understand). Why the number 3 for prayers? It sounds arbirtrary. Is that number mentioned in the Torah? Also, if prayer is sufficient now as it was back then, what was EVER the point of sacrifice? Wouldn't it be a pointless act if you're not doing it now? Does anyone have anything scriptural to explain this?

Answer 1

According to Jewish law, sacrifices can only be performed by the priests in the temple while they are in a religiously pure state. Since we have no temple, nor do we have the capability to maintain a religiously pure state, it is unattainable.
I mean no disrespect, but I assume from your question that you are a christian. From my understanding, christianity is much about forgiveness. Judaism is not. While there were atonement sacrifices, more were offerings to god done thrice daily (which is why we pray 3 times a day, morning afternoon and night) as well as gift offering and thankful offerings. In fact, the primary theme of the later prophets was that sacrifices alone can not atone for your sins, rather one must turn away from his evil ways. Based on this, the modern way to receive redemption, is through "tshuva, tefila, tzedaka" or "atonement, prayer, and charity".
Maimonides was of the opinion that sacrifices were used then because that was the accepted mode of worship, while nowadays that it's prayer, prayer is sufficient. Prayer was not enough back then because, well, there was no prayer. The culture of prayer is a modern phenomenon; the only prayers in that period were said over sacrifices. Sacrifices were performed because that is how the people connected with god. There are 3 prayers a day for the 3 daily sacrifices, the Tamid of morning, the Tamid of afternoon, and the burning of the remnants that night. As for the scripture reference, the prophets talk about the spirit of atonement, and the sacrifices being just a formality. Whether they are completely useless in this day and age is a matter of debate, but most do not think so.

Answer 2

Sacrifices can not be performed at any place besides the Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed for the second time in 70 C.E. So, we do not perform sacrifices any more because there is no place to do it. A prerequisite of Moshiach is that he must rebuild the Temple, and then, theoretically, we will begin performing sacrifices again. But sacrifices were never required to atone for sins. We seek forgiveness in the same way now that we did then--through a thing called teshuvah. To do teshuvah (which literally means return or repent) we must do four things:
Step 1: Stop.

Stop whatever destructive action you are engaged in.If, for example, you are losing your temper with others, stop.

Step 2: Regret.

You should indeed feel regret for your error. It's wrong to lose your temper as you are likely to hurt others in doing so.You should be sorry for the harm you caused.

Step 3: Verbalize.

Explain your regret out loud to God. This doesn't have to be done at synagogue, and it doesn't have to be in Hebrew. Talk to God in at least an audible whisper, not just in your head; of course, God knows already, but you need to hear it.Tell Him that you are sorry for whatever you did wrong.If your actions harmed other people then you have to make amends. After losing your temper, you must go to your friend and ask his forgiveness.

Step 4: Make a Plan.

How can you be sure that the mistake won't happen again? Make a practical plan of action. If you know that certain subjects are sources of conflict between you and your friend, perhaps make a pact to avoid those subjects for the sake of peace.

This is how we seek forgiveness now.
And people who say that we aren't real Jews and don't know what we're talking about obviously don't know anything about Judaism. Peace

Answer 3

Bronze age animal sacrifice went out with the Second Temple. You seem to know that already. If you're wondering why that is, it's because the temple in Jerusalem was the only place it was "kosher", no other place would do. Second best wasn't good enough. This was for GOD! He only flew first class. However, the loss of the temple gave rise to rabbinic Judaism. Study of the Torah was now the most important thing. Knowlege is power, you know?

Answer 4

According to The Law, there is one designated place to offer sacrifices: The Temple at Jerusalem.
That temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. The Temple Mount is not politically under the control of the Jewish State, so for now, they cannot rebuild.

However, long-term plans are in place.

Answer 5

Sacrifices were only for atonement against sins to God, not for sins against other people, for that you had to ask the person for forgiveness, and still do, Daily prayers have replaces sacrifices since the destruction of the temple.

Answer 6

I'm Jewish, so ignore other people's weird answers. We don't do sacrifices today because there is no temple. so instead we have set prayers for everyday. There were pryers when we still had sacrifices, too, but it was more of an on-the-spot kind of thing. So now we pray 3 times a day instead.

Answer 7

the quick answer is that sacrifice develop into centralized interior the Temple at Jerusalem, and while the Temple develop into destroyed in 70 advert via the Romans, sacrifice develop into now no longer a risk. Prayer replaced sacrifice because of the fact this variety of worship.

Answer 8

They have no Priests to offer the sacrifices nor a tabernacle/temple in which to preform the rites. According to Esra anyone who can't prove their legal right to the priesthood by genealogy must be rejected for admittance to the office. NO ONE today has such proof... Jim

Answer 9

The Temple priests have been chosen and in training. They have even started breeding the Red Heifer ( which was almost extinct) and are awaiting to rebuild the Temple. I have read somewhere that even a site which is located next to the Dome of the Rock is a likely place to build it, and they are waiting for official permits to start building.

Answer 10

Because the Temple has been destroyed. All sacrafices were made when the Temple was still up and running, but not anymore because it's gone.