Kippah

The head covering for men is called a kippah, skullcap or yarmulke. The word kippah comes from the Hebrew word for "covering."

In 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 Shaul (Paul) is addressing Corinthian men and their pagan practice of covering their hair with veils like women. The Greek word translated ‘covering’ means ‘that which flows down’. The literal translation is: “every man praying or prophesying have (anything) down over (his) head shames his head.” This is a violation of the Torah (Deuteronomy 22:5).

Shaul is by no means saying that men should not wear a head covering, for HaShem commanded the Cohanim to wear migba'ot (headpieces), embellished with the words "Holy to the Lord". From the days of Moshe, the head covering, whether kippah or hat, is one of the distinguishing marks of the Jewish people.

The tradition of men wearing kippot likely originated with the priestly head covering and later in history the Jewish community at large began to wear head coverings. For if the priests were required to cover their heads, then it was appropriate for men to show their submission to God by also covering their heads. Rabbis and communities approached the head covering many ways; some wearing a covering at all times and others only covering their heads when praying or engaging in religious studies.

Tallit

A scarf-like, rectangular prayer shawl with four fringes or tzitzit, one attached to each corner. The tallit is taken from Numbers 15:38-39, "That shall be your fringe; look at it and recall of the commandments of Adonai and observe them."

Symbolically, putting on a tallit separates the wearer from daily concerns and provides a visual that it is a time of prayer. It also reminds the worshiper that he or she is approaching the Most High God, Who is Himself wrapped in a cloud of glory (Ps. 104:1,2). Also, the tallit is often spread over as a canopy wedding ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

 

Shofar

A hollowed-out ram's horn that is blown like a trumpet. The shofar was used to announce holidays, and the Jubilee year (Lev. 25. 9). The first day of the seventh month (Tishri) is termed "a memorial of blowing" (Lev. 23. 24), or "a day of blowing" (Num. xxix. 1), the shofar. It was also employed in processions (II Sam. 6. 15; I Chron. 15. 28), as a musical accompaniment (Ps. 98. 6; comp. ib. xlvii. 5) and to signify the start of a war (Josh. 6. 4; Judges 3. 27; 7. 16, 20; I Sam. 8. 3). It is used today as a call to worship and to fulfil the mitzvah of the festivals.

Candles

It is the custom to light candles to welcome the Shabbat. Candle lighting is one of the most universally practiced Jewish customs. Traditionally, the woman of the house lights two Shabbat candles and says the blessing over them. This is the traditional way to set the day of Shabbat apart from the work. Lighting Shabbat candles is not commanded in the Tenach. This is done before sundown on Friday evening. Candles remain lit until they burn out on their own.

During the summer months when Shabbat service begins before sundown we light the candles during the service. We do not light candles during the winter Shabbats when sundown begins before service.

 

 

 

Common phrases, greetings, liturgy

Following is terminology you may hear at our services:

Yeshua or Y'hoshua - Hebrew name of Jesus meaning "Yahweh is salvation."

Adonai - is the plural of Adon, meaning “Lord, Lord, LORD, master, or owner” (the word Adon derives from a Ugaritic word meaning “lord” or “father”). It means master and is used instead of using the word God. This is used so as not to use the personal name of God.

"Shabbat Shalom" - common greeting for the Sabbath it means Sabbath peace. During our worship service we take a few minutes for folks to walk around, shake hands, and greet, "Shabbat Shalom!"

Pushke (pronounced push key) - a wooden container with a coin slot used to collect money for the congregation.

Oneg Shabbat - the informal fellowship held after the Erev Shabbat service. We come together for a bite to eat and great conversation.

Kiddush - the blessing over the grape juice. We recite this blessing together as a congregation after the service ends and before oneg.

Challah Bread - the braided egg bread that traditionally is eaten on most Jewish holidays and Shabbat. There is also a blessing recited over the bread know as Ha-motzi. This blessing is recited as a congregation after the kiddush.

"Baruch ata Adonai" - The three Hebrew words that begin many Jewish blessings or brachot. It means, "Blessed are you, Adonai."

Baruch Ha-Shem - literally, "Blessed be the Name."

Our worship is distinctively Jewish in word and song and includes an extended time of "prayer for all nations."

Shema - the central prayer of our service. It comes from Deuteronomy and Numbers and declares one's faith in God. It was quoted by Yeshua in Mark 12:29.

The teaching is often expository, sometimes topical, but always uses the "historical-grammatical" method of interpretation including the methods and principles of the sages that are used in the Scriptures, including the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).

In addition to emphasizing the word pictures of the Hebrew language and unique and powerful "shadows" of Messiah, we use Hebraic terminology such as "assembly" or "congregation," "stake," and "believers" or "Messianics" rather than the Hellenist terms, "church," "cross" and "Christians," which because of the history of the "Christian" persecution of the Jewish people, tend to offend them.

A Messianic congregation recognizes Sha'ul's (Paul's) stated priority for the Gospel: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Messiah), for it is the power of God to salvation for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile)" - Romans 1:16. "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!...what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" - Romans 11:11, 12, 15b.

Our Savior is Jewish and observed all the Feasts of the LORD, which are loaded with symbolism of our Messiah's first and second coming. We are to imitate Him (1 Corinthians 11:1)

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