Redemption

Today for our staff meeting we had a rabbi speak to us.  He started off by telling us some aspects of Judaism's mindset, which showed once again how far off track Judaism has gotten from what God originally intended.  Redemption for a Jew who follows Judaism goes like this:  The person tells God, "you remember Abraham how he was your friend, and he was righteous.  Well I'm his descendant, so because of his righteousness you need to forgive me."  It is so sad, but it is to be expected.  From what I've seen while I've been here it seems like while the Tanakh (the Old Testament) gets lip service, the Talmud (written religious traditions and explanations of texts from the Tanakh) is what is taught and followed.  Of course when man's writings become more important than God's, the truth is quickly left by the wayside...