My problem with Mosaic Law even now--It does not ensure even the proper care of a cow--just as the law doesn't protect one human from another. The idea of love one's neighbor as one's self has always been the single law to inform Jesus' followers. It was the thorough-going aspect of that Golden rule in jesus' life that made him beautiful to me. No wiggle room for me in that.
And that about sacrifice not being a command from God I learned as I researched the very different words for sacrifice (zebach) and for burnt offering (olah). I reasoned on this in the puzzle of the Genesis 22 drama. "Offer your son as an OLAH" I like that you present it. It was a point that kept me believing for a while.
But here I have to say the labyrinth of study needed to arrive at these reflections must be superfluous to knowing how we are to live. I have had a life lived with far too many difficulties as a woman and a mother of seven. So often without running water. Often without electricity. Milking goats, cooking on wood stoves and so forth.(and I say this not that I look for admiration--I think it can be fairly argued that we were foolish and not commendable) these times informed me that women at least such as myself would never have had opportunity to stand on one foot in front of Hillel and found insight there. Instead, it would be by feeling the blazing warmth of respect and the thought that our own enjoyment of that dignity through the example of a Jesus we might thus understand. The golden rule is the supreme teacher.
I treat my cow as I would myself be treated--even if I eat her. Anyone who finds this laughable and yet eats a steak is laughing at me and I know I am more merciful than they--(O pride)
The Bible is far to chancey a guide for me to believe it was heaven sent. Crimes are too possible for those who use laws only and who relegate the golden rule to a slogan for the kindergarden.
Unadorned, I love the Jesus story--minus virgin births and resurrections.
I do appreciate your unaffected discussion. Something rare.