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Let me say that I understand the rationale behind the entiree sacrifical system. I understand how it all prefigures Christ's perfect sacrifice that atoned for all sin. What I don't understand is the necessary connection and the necessity of death to atone for sin. It just strikes me as so arbitrary.

This is actually quite a thought-provoking comment. Indeed, why does blood need to be spilled to atone for sins?

Blood sacrifice and offerings seems to be such a natural human response. Pagans do it, some even sacrifice humans, to the gods. If one takes an evolutionary viewpoint in our relationship with God, we can see that the Israelites had to first learn that human sacrifice was wrong, then learn that there was only one God, that the personal family god was the creator tribal god. Then that the other tribal gods were not true, did not exist. That there truly was one God, not only of Israel but of all peoples.

Along the way the Law (and its sacrificial offerings) became a ceremonial way for the Chosen People to keep themselves separate. What God was preparing us for was the replacement of external sacrifice with "the sacrifice of our hearts and minds."

I think angelo would contend that this step of discontinuing the external sacrifice was the natural growth trajectory of the Jewish faith, while we say that it took the dramatic step of the Christ to bring this point across. We can certainly debate that. The point remains the same, that we know at some point in history, when we were more primitive, God was pleased with such sacrifice. But now He wants not external sacrifice but a true conversion of the will.

I agree with you in large measure, and posted something similar to Angelo a while back. The sacrifice framework was the archetype, the development, or revelation, of religion had to be put into that conversation; it could be put into others as well, but this was the minimal requirement for human understanding getting from A to B.

As I believe Angelo has pointed out, many of the things we see as being harsh pronouncements are actually a move towards less "cruel" forms. The evolution of sacrifice also fits here.

It's interesting that those cultures tending toward planting, and having more matriarchical society and goddess dieties also tended more towards human sacrifice. Here, it's theorized, the link between life/death/earth was more tangible, and a common theme is new life requires death; the new generation can only come into being after the old generation passes.