Animal Sacrifices

Question

Dear Rabbi,

When were the animal sacrifices mentioned in the Bible stopped? Why did the animal sacrifices stop, for was this not the way that sins were cleansed from a person's life?

Answer

The sacrifices of animals ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70 (traditionally the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av). The act of sacrificing was replaced by daily prayers. Orthodox Jews pray for the rebuilding of the Temple and the resumption of sacrifices.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg