ironically Islam is closer theologically to Judaism than Christianity is.

the great Rambam, a talmudic commentator in the 12th century, was asked about the problem many jews in the muslim world were facing w/ forced conversions. The Rambam said that since the Muslims only ask for a verbal declaration w/o breaking mitzvot that it was preferable and practice secretly than to die. In his mind, tho, christianity was a totally different story.

Islam was herecy, but Christianity was idolitry.

the real divide between islam and judaism, in the present day, stems not from theology but from politics. Unfortunately many use their respective faiths as a cloak to justify many political actions that their faiths would not otherwise permit. This, however, has been true throughout history.

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for traditional judaism,
no.

the Jews have the Torah and nothing will be added to it.

that is, however, not to say that G-d will not send prophets to other nations, He said that He would. However, this will not negate or change the Torah and the covenant in any way.

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bumpin it up...

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How can Mosaic Judaism be practiced with out a temple, priesthood, the Ark, the anointing, the red heifer etc?

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here's the thing...
Judaism, as we know it today, is far more than the 5 books of moses (the Torah). It encompasses volumes upon volumes of rabbinacle and Talmudic data, all of which is based upon the Torah itself...

since the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, may it be speadily rebuilt in our days, there can be no sacrifices performed because that is the only place that they may be done.

of course, just as anything, the sacrifices, known as Korbanim in hebrew (which sacrifices is probably a pour translation), mean squat if you don't intend on honoring the symbolism of the deed. such as in the case of sin offerings...if you are just doing that and then going to go back out and do it again, it don't mean jack! you have to mean it!

When the Temple was destroyed there was a great deal of discussion about how to go about doing things, and within the words of Tanach (you would know them as the OT) are the answers.

In a number of places the Babylonian Talmud emphasises that following Jewish law, doing charitable deeds, and studying Jewish texts is greater than performing animal sacrifices.

Rabbi Elazar said: Doing righteous deeds of charity is greater than offering all of the sacrifices, as it is written: "Doing charity and justice is more desirable to the Lord than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3).
Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 49
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korban#..._of_sacrifices

There are some sages who argue that G-d never wanted sacrifices in the first place, but at the sin of the Golden Calf, knew that the Israelites would need something to manifest their connection to Him.

the central theme of Judaism is "Mitzvot" which can be translated in 2 ways
1) commandments of the Torah
2) acts of charity and human kindness

in either respect, it is about our actions in this world and bettering this world that Judaism is most concerned with. So when the Second Temple was destroyed these things gained an even larger centrality in Judaism.

Hope that helps!

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How is the faith practiced now as given to Moses by God, is the temple necessary for a faithfull practice of Judaism?

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Greetings,

Background: I am a follower of the Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) faith.

I wonder if you can tell me what the stand of the Judaic faith is regarding Saul.

I have had a Jewish person (whose son in law is a Rabbi) tell me that Saul is esteemed. Is that true?
This person used words to describe Saul such as, "confused" and "unbalanced". To me this undermines G-d's edict that Saul became His enemy.

If so, how can one esteem Saul after he repeatedly, with malice aforethought, tried to kill David personally and by conspiracy, not to mention break G-d's law and disobey His commandments?

I found this person's comment on how great Saul was very disturbing.

It seems to me that Saul became a criminal, disobeyed G-d, attempted murder, murdered Ahimelech, the other priests, and men women and children, including babies, and all the livestock. Four score and 5, isn't that 85 people in all because Ahimelech gave a sword and bread to David who was fleeing the murderous Saul?

You seem more than lucid and qualified to answer. I have read some of your posts and you appear to be very knowledgable.

I hope you are not offended by my fervor or my questions. Even though I am neither Christian or Jew this issue is very important to me for reasons I cannot explain. Perhaps it is my deep regard for David and all that he accomplished.

Thank you for any guidance you can offer.
Fortuna

Since the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, The Holy Temple, the Jewish faith has evolved to essentially replace the sacrificial offerings w/ prayer.

The Temple is not necessary, per se, but there are many many Mitzvot, commandments, of the Torah which can not be performed anywhere else.

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i will have to do some more looking into the subject before i can give a full answer. I will get back to you on this one ASAP

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The similarity between Christianity and Judaism is because of the same
source. Gospel and Torah were the divine scriptures revealed from God but
these scriptures were revealed for there own people.

Christians and Jews both believe in Abraham,Jacob,Isaac,but the difference
starts from Jesus(pbuh) and Moses(pbuh). Christians hold Jesus(pbuh) as a divine personality unlike Jews who never accepted Jesus(pbuh) .