This is taken from the Jews for Judaism blog, by RabbiEli.
“A question I recently asked a missionary:
Can you find me ONE verse from Joshua – Malachi (the books of the prophets) that EVER mention the need for shedding blood in order to obtain forgiveness?
I’m still waiting for a response :)”
A deeper look at the Real Messianic Jews 
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July 23, 2010 at 1:54 am
yash613
I wonder why he hasn’t got an answer yet? 😉
July 23, 2010 at 3:19 am
Rabbi Eli
The reason is because in reality it doesn’t exist. The omission is begging an explanation. If blood is the ONLY way back to G-d why did the prophets fail to even mention such an essential point. This doesn’t mean that blood isn’t important, clearly it is, however, it’s not the only method to obtain forgiveness. Isaiah 55:7 is a wonderful example of how to be forgiven.
July 23, 2010 at 3:29 am
yash613
Wow. RabbiEli, welcome to my blog!
I’m honoured to have such a wise and knowledgeable visitor!
Stop by whenever you like 🙂
August 27, 2010 at 5:08 pm
bography
Eli
What do you make of this from the Jewish Encylopedia?
“The principle of Atonement by sacrificial blood was, on the whole, adhered to during the second Temple.”
“It was quite natural that, during the Exile, when no sacrifice could be offered, other means of obtaining forgiveness and peace should be resorted to.”
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=2092&letter=A
September 8, 2010 at 3:55 am
uriyosef
bography,
The question was asked about the Books Joshua-to-Malachi. Last time I checked, the Jewish Encyclopedia wasn’t one of them.
Other than that, the Jewish Encyclopedia is not a halachic source, and it is useful only to those who know its strengths and weaknesses.
Uri
September 8, 2010 at 4:07 am
uriyosef
yash,
Speaking of sacrifices, I’ve asked many missionaries two other questions, and have yet to receive answers to them. My questions:
1. Of all sin and guilt sacrifices mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, can you show me even one that was capable of atoning for future sins, i.e., sins that were yet uncommitted (either by the one offering the sacrifice or by one who wasn’t yet born)?
2. Of all sacrifices mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, can you show me even one that is directed from God to man rather than from man to God?
Uri
September 8, 2010 at 4:18 am
yash613
These are great questions, Uri.
It’s obvious that they cannot answer your questions, because there is nothing in Jewish Bible that supports those two claims you mentioned.
The question that bugs me is how missionaries can continue to hold their beliefs even after being asked questions like this that clearly show that they are not based on the Jewish Bible. My only answer is that it is an egotistical thing and that people cannot admit to themselves that they made a mistake.
I guess the old saying (which I read from Rabbi Eli) is true that when it comes to self-deception, every man is a genius.
September 8, 2010 at 4:54 am
uriyosef
yash,
Part of the answer is the “pride” factor, though I don’t think it is the dominant factor. What I have found out from my years of experience is that the biggest factor is the fear of that Christian “hell”. That is, by far, the biggest deterrent for “believers” to take off the “blinders” and do some serious research.
The next biggest factor (and actually related to the above) is the belief held by many that we, the Jews, have been blinded to the truth, that we are, in a sense, the agents of the “devil” (see, e.g., John 8:44, Acts 13:10-11). So, if they listen to us and act on it, they will roast in the Christian “hell”.
They believe that they are imbued with the “Holy Spirit” and, therefore, they will have a place in the “eternal kingdom” so long as they stay where they are in their beliefs.
Uri
September 8, 2010 at 5:32 am
Willow
Most humbly, as one who left Christianity, pride was never a factor for me. The fear of going to hell was, in giving up what I’d been taught was my only means of salvation. That fear stuck with me for a good long year. But far more difficult for me was (I’m searching for words, here) coming before G-d, one on one, when I’d always been taught how unworthy I was. It was so painfully difficult that for a long time I didn’t even pray. I didn’t know how to, and quite frankly because I didn’t know Him. The church had separated me from Him, and I had to get to know Him all over again.
September 8, 2010 at 5:42 am
Willow
Thank you for allowing me to post. I promise not to exasperate you all too much, as I strive to learn; and I am just learning – having learned well that in Judaism it would take half a dozen life times to come to know even a fraction of all there is to know about Hashem and His creation! I am honored to be among you.
Good night, and always be blessed.
October 27, 2010 at 12:01 am
yash613
Hi Willow,
Welcome to my blog! I really appreciate you stopping by. If you get the chance, and you dont mind, could you please email me your story of how you found your way into christianity, and later on, Judaism? I would love to read it: yash613@live.com
Thanks
September 8, 2010 at 3:24 pm
bography
Uri
You said: “the Jewish Encyclopedia is not a halachic source, and it is useful only to those who know its strengths and weaknesses.”
Does that apply to the Encyclopedia Judaica?
September 8, 2010 at 4:04 pm
uriyosef
bography,
Yes, it applies to the Encyclopedia Judaica as well. This is evident from an article that appeared on the israel National News – Arutz Sheva web-site back in January 2007, where the relevant passage reads as follows:
****With this in mind it should come as no surprise that this week Encyclopedia Judaica the world’s most profound Jewish encyclopedia, came out in its new edition with a report about biblical Moshe, saying that they are rather sceptical if Moshe ever really existed: “We cannot even be sure that Moses was a historical character.”
Would we find such an article by Muslims about the existence of Mohammed? I’d like to see how long that author would live. Or an Christian writing that Jesus did not exist? Of course not! But here, a supposed “Jewish” encyclopaedia, in a scholarly work, takes upon itself to destroy the very foundation of Judaism. Shame on them!”****
[Original article – http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/6873%5D
Uri
September 9, 2010 at 8:38 am
bography
Good post Uri. I more than agree with you, I love (what) you (said).
September 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm
uriyosef
Hmmm… I wonder to which post you were referring.
September 13, 2010 at 7:03 am
bography
Uri your Sept 8 4.04 post. I’ll be careful with those two encyclopedias.
September 13, 2010 at 7:06 am
bography
Willow
You inspired me to write a piece:
http://onedaringjew.wordpress.com/2010/09/12/jesus-and-the-pharisee-under-the-weeping-willow-tree/
Others – and maybe you – will probably question the source of my inspiration.