It is important to note that Judaism and Christianity differ on most major theological issues. One of the more obvious issues is the matter of sin, atonement and salvation.
Christian Belief
* Early Christianity latched onto a notion that the messiah was someone who would be the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.
* Christianity believes that we are born condemned and that without the practice of animal sacrifices Jews cannot atone for their sins.
This represents a blatant misinterpretation of the Jewish Bible.
Jewish standpoint
* The Tanach teaches that sin is an act, not a state of being.
o Mankind was created with an inclination to do evil (Genesis 8:21)
o We have the ability to master this inclination (Genesis 4:7)
o We can choose good over evil (Psalm 37:27, Deut.30:19).
We do not ascribe to the NT (New Testament) concept of the taint of “Original sin” making us intrinsically evil.
* God gave us a way to remove our sins.
o When sacrifices were required they were intended only for unintentional sins (Leviticus 4:1) and served as a means of motivating individuals to true repentance.
o Numerous passages, including Hosea 14, I Kings 8:44-52 and Jeremiah 29:12-14, inform us that today, without a Temple or sacrifices, our prayers take the place of sacrifices. In addition, we read:
“The sacrifices of G-d are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17)
“I desire kindness and not sacrifices, the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).