[boatbums]

And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.

These men committed a sin "unto death" (i.e., they died because of their idolatry) - something Roman Catholicism says is a "mortal sin". So, explain to me how praying for them can get them out of hell?

Plus, if you read the Kiddishes, Jewish prayer for the dead, it is more about resting in peace until the last judgment - not at all some concept of a Purgatory where suffering goes on to satisfy temporal punishments for sin committed in life. I wouldn't expect a Jew today to see Jesus as our ONLY true place of cleansing, by whom we are washed in His precious blood and made pure and righteous by the grace of God through faith, but Christians sure ought to.

[af_vet_1981]

Plus, if you read the Kiddishes, Jewish prayer for the dead, it is more about resting in peace until the last judgment - not at all some concept of a Purgatory where suffering goes on to satisfy temporal punishments for sin committed in life.

1. Kaddish is the exaltation and praise of the Holy One of Israel with a plea for the Messianic Kingdom. This is an offering to God to aid the soul of the departed and mitigate any temporary punishment in the twelve month period for such punishment after death.
2. The Jewish concept that God hears Kaddish prayers and they help the soul of the departed ascend to the realm of Paradise is ancient and comprehensive across all branches of Jews.
3. Catholics have obviously incorporated this ancient Jewish belief in the reading of certain scriptures.