Re: Atonement for sin

uri (uri@interactiva.cl)
Wed, 24 Sep 1997 14:38:45 -0400

Michael Benstock <toledo@loom.com.au> wrote:
<<...I need to impress that prayer has in this time indeed replaced
sacrifice. True, we do pray for the return of the sacrificial system, but
when the Temple will be rebuilt I believe that only congregational
sacrifices will be brought. I am sure that is what Rambam supposes will be
what will happen in those times to come...>>

I am not sure on what Michael bases his view of the opinion of the Rambam.
To quote from the Rambam in Laws of Kings (11:1) in reference to the
Messianic age, "...and all of the laws will be repracticed in his days as
they were in the past; sacrificing sacrifices...". The Rambam quoted makes
_no_ differentiation between communal and private offerings. Why should one
make an assumption as to the Rambam's opinion? If he had made the
distinction that Michael suggests, it seems as if the Rambam should have
written it here.

Uri Portal