Why Don’t We Perform Animal Sacrifices Today?

According to Torah (God’s law/First 5 Books of the Bible), the animal sacrifices, as well as all the other sacrifices, including the various sacrifices performed at Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), for example, can only be done:

1. In the place where God chooses, namely in the tabernacle/temple {in Jerusalem} (see Exodus 20:24; Leviticus 17:3-6; Deuteronomy 12:13-14, 16:5-6). In other words, sacrifices cannot take place in our back yard, in our homes, or wherever we want, etc. Worship isn’t about what we want, it’s about what He wants. Unfortunately, the tabernacle/temple, according to the specifications outlined in Torah (starting in Exodus 25+), no longer exists. The original tabernacle was constructed by the Israelites while wandering the wilderness in Moses’ day followed by Solomon’s temple, a brick and mortar building, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC, as predicted by the prophet Jeremiah due to God’s judgment for Jews not adhering to God’s Torah. Later, Ezra and Nehemiah helped construct a second temple after the 70-year captivity of the Jews ended. Sadly, that temple was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman Empire. The various ceremonial sacrifices can only be offered in the prescribed temple as outlined within the Torah. So, because no temple has existed since 70 AD, the sacrifices ceased at that time, just as they did when the Jewish people were in Babylonian captivity (far from Jerusalem). 
2.  The sacrifices can only be orchestrated and performed by Levitical priests, who all stem from Aaron’s lineage. See Exodus 28-29.

Due to the fact that there is no physical temple in Jerusalem in accordance with the Torah at this time, animal sacrifices cannot legally manifest. (Note: The Temple Institute has created all the artifacts for the final temple and Jewish people today have been rehearsing such events anticipating the final temple to be built in the near future).

In summary, the various ceremonial sacrifices performed daily and during the Feast of the LORD can only be performed in a temple as outlined in Scripture located in Jerusalem where the Levite priest can resume their appointed role. Until a temple is reconstructed, presumably on temple-mount, where Solomon’s temple and the temple of Nehemiah’s day is believed to have resided, no ceremonial sacrifices can manifest. The Book of Ezekiel in chapters 44-46 as well as in Zechariah 14:16+ predict sacrifices will resume in the World-To-Come and even Gentiles will be participating in this aspect of worshipping the One True Living God — at least during Sukkot.

Updated 10.30.2023