Is Christianity the only condemning religion?

Is Christianity the only religion that condemns one to hell for disbelief?

islam does as well.

Doesn't Judaism too? One would think so, they're based on 1/2 the Bible.

[Aphelion Corona]

quote:Originally posted by solitudesblind:

Doesn't Judaism too? One would think so, they're based on 1/2 the Bible.

Nope. Sorry. (Oh and it's not 1/2 the Bible it's the whole Torah.)

"It would be discriminatory for Judaism to proselytize and try to convert those not of the religion. That would imply that everybody needs to be Jewish in order to make a relationship with God, participate in the Torah's vision of repairing the world, and "get to heaven." Yet this is not so.

The idea of demanding everyone to convert is probably familiar to you as a Christian ideal. For example, just this week, a Baptist group in Florida is spending over $1 million to distribute a video entitled "Jesus" to every household in Palm Beach County. It's no coincidence that 60 percent of these homes are Jewish.

Be that as it may, the Jewish idea is that the Torah of Moses is a truth for all humanity, whether Jewish or not. The Torah (as explained in the Talmud - Sanhedrin 58b) presents seven mitzvot for non-Jews to observe. These seven laws are the pillars of human civilization, and are named the "Seven Laws of Noah," since all humans are descended from Noah. They are:

1) Do not murder.

2) Do not steal.

3) Do not worship false gods.

4) Do not be sexually immoral.

5) Do not eat the limb of an animal before it is killed.

6) Do not curse God.

7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.

Maimonides explains that any human being who faithfully observes these laws earns a proper place in heaven. So you see, the Torah is for all humanity, no conversion necessary.

As well, when King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, he specifically asked God to heed the prayer of non-Jews who come to the Temple (1-Kings 8:41-43). The Temple was the universal center of spirituality, which the prophet Isaiah referred to as a "house for all nations." The service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkot featured a total of 70 bull offerings, corresponding to each of the 70 nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says that if the Romans would have realized how much they were benefiting from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it!

Today, there are many active groups of non-Jews called "B'nai Noach" who faithfully observe the Seven Laws of Noah. You can see their web site at: http:../../www.fastlane.net/~bneinoah/default.htm

There is also an excellent book on the topic, called "The Path of the Righteous Gentile" by Chaim Clorfene and Yakov Rogalsky. It can be read for free on the internet at http://chabad.org/gopher/outlook/7laws/index.html.

http:../../www.aish.com/rabbi/atr_thisweek.asp

I'm not trying to be smart-arse, but I've always wondered what do contemporary Jews do/think about sacrifices etc. If a temple was rebuilt would the sacrifices re-start?

Also, why is it that converts to Judaism aren't required to follow the full mosaic law, but only 7 points?

[Aphelion Corona]

quote:Originally posted by inquisitor_11:

I'm not trying to be smart-arse, but I've always wondered what do contemporary Jews do/think about sacrifices etc. If a temple was rebuilt would the sacrifices re-start?

Also, why is it that converts to Judaism aren't required to follow the full Mosaic law, but only 7 points?

Amos said "the offerings of our lips, rather than of bulls" so animal sacrifice was substituted for prayer.

When the Messiah comes the animal sacrifices will resume and I for one would welcome them, because it has shown that God has returned his favour to Israel.

Others however I cannot speak for.

And converts to Judaism become Jews. They follow all 613 commandments.

This might be similar to what you are alluding to:

http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse...=tqak&offset=1