05-08-2019, 08:12 AM
(05-08-2019, 02:25 AM)WisdomSeeker Wrote: What struck me as I made my way through Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus is the abundance of animal sacrifice and burnt offerings. With all due respect (and please understand that what I am about to ask, also causes an issue for Christianity as well), these practices struck me more as a man made thing than of a God directed set of instructions/directions.
Is it wrong to wonder what that is all about and how a burnt offering aroma can be pleasing to the Lord?
No, it is not wrong to ask such questions; Judaism encourages asking questions.
What is the purpose of sacrifices? It is to draw one closer to G-d. Sacrificing involves giving up prized possessions, either animal, monetary, or grain. I don't see man writing laws that would require him to make such financial sacrifices. I think they would have been written from the point of view of Cain (offer a mediocre sacrifice, or better yet don't offer anything at all)) instead of Abel (offer the best). I don't think the actual aroma is pleasing to the L-rd. What pleases Him is man's willingness to sacrifice his best to give to G-d and in order to help others.