Just this past week, I saw something which might interest Tom.
In the week's Torah portion, G-d says about the Mishkan( Tabernacle)
"V'neekdash Bichvodi", I will be made holy in my honor (loosely
translated). The Talmud says to read it that "I will be made holy through
my honored ones" referring to Aaron's 2 son's who were killed. Their death
was part of the dedication of the Mishkan. The commentary, Torah Temmimah
asks "Does G-d need blood"? (Sounds similar?) He says obviously not. The
point was that once people thought they had a mishkon to atone for their
sins, they didn't need to be careful. The lesson learned was that even these
2 holy people died because they weren't careful. This means that even with
a mishkon, every individual is responsable for their actions. It should be
noted that this is dyametrically opposed to Christianity. There, 'J' died &
attoned for everyone's sins & now as long as people believe, they're
absolved. Here the lesson is that you better be careful what you do!
Anyway, the reason why I mention this whole business is that the idea of
"sacrificing a man" might not be such an issue in and of itself. Of course
there's the other issue that no man was ever sacrificed in a Jewish
religious service. Either way, that might be why it's not there.
Micha Males
Kivun Computers
Accent Software International
(02) 793-723 ext. 419
Visit my web site: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/3326