Author: Holy Branches

I’m a Gentile Believer, a devoted mother of five wonderful children, and the wife of an amazing husband. Nature, gardening, and dance bring joy and inspiration to my life. In my spare time, I play the piano, care for my garden, or study the Bible in Hebrew. And I’ll drop just about anything for a game of cards. My unwavering quest for a genuine relationship with the God of the Bible has driven me to delve deeply into His Word, which guides my journey and shapes my life's path. This exploration, combined with dedication to living out my faith, is at the heart of my writing. I seek to share my insights and discoveries with readers, encouraging them to embark on their own spiritual journeys.

What DO We Do on the Sabbath?

Written by Holy Branches on July 8, 2025. Posted in Sabbath, Traditions. 27 Comments on What DO We Do on the Sabbath?

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What does keeping the Sabbath look like? The fourth commandment is clear, and numerous other places throughout the Bible make it evident that God finds observation of the Sabbath something all His people should do. Keeping the Sabbath means, in part, refraining from work on that day. We are to refrain from our vocation as well as other work.

Welcoming the Sabbath: A Messianic Family Guide for Erev Shabbat

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.”
Exodus 20:8-11, (NASB)

What we’re not supposed to do on the Sabbath is clear, but what isn’t exactly clear is what we DO on that day. When we don’t work, do we just lay around and watch TV all day? Should we take a vacation? Run errands? Go to church?

There are several places we can look to find these answers. We can read the Bible and determine what Sabbath observance should look like. For practical application, we can learn from Orthodox Jews, who have been observing the Sabbath since Old Testament times. Learning from both leads to a more solid understanding of many Biblical customs, and the Sabbath is one of them.

What does a Jewish Sabbath look like?

They observe the Sabbath on Saturday.

When God commands that the Sabbath should occur on the seventh day, the Jews take Him at His word and keep the Sabbath to the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Jewish days start around sundown, so the Sabbath is from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

They rest.

They take the command not to work as a declaration of their freedom from slavery, as slaves don’t usually get days off. When God freed them from slavery to the Egyptians, he took them as His people, establishing His covenant with them. The sign of this covenant is the Sabbath (Ex. 31:16 and Lev. 24:8).

Hand carved Bethlehem Olive Wood Pair of Candlesticks Candle Holders (7.5 Inches)

They attend synagogue services.

They attend services as a family on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, or both.

They study God’s word.

The Torah is read during Friday evening and Saturday morning services. Orthodox Jews also study Torah as a family on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

They spend time with family.

The Sabbath is a leisurely affair, with taking walks, playing games, and hanging out together making up much of the day. They have meals together, with blessings for the food, the Sabbath, and each other.

There’s a definite beginning and end.

They light two candles when it begins, indicating that the family should remember and observe the Sabbath. A small ceremony called Havdalah marks its end, separating it from the other days of the week.

What the Sabbath Looks Like at My House

My family has adopted many of these customs to our Sabbath. When we first began, it wasn’t easy to implement. Not working on Saturdays was difficult, but once I figured it out, having a day of free time was a welcome change! We gradually changed our focus to fill our Sabbath with bible study, family time, and rest.

Keeping the Sabbath has been such a blessing to my family. Our culture is nonstop. While this allows us to be very productive, many American Christians struggle to find time for what they claim are the most important aspects of their lives—their family and faith. True Sabbath observation helps properly align our priorities. When done correctly, the Sabbath becomes a day in one’s schedule where the top priorities stay on top—every week, every year, for generations.

Here are a few things my family does on the Sabbath:

Bible study (individual and as a family)
Attend synagogue
Watch live streams from Beth Yeshua International or Founded in Truth Ministries
Have special meals together
Light candles to mark the beginning of the Sabbath
Say specific blessings like this one, this one, and this one, which is my favorite!
Eat challah bread
Take naps
Sleep in
Hike or take a walk in nature
Go swimming
Eat simple snacks and meals that we prepared in advance
Have a family outing, such as going to the zoo or botanical gardens
Wish each other and others a “Shabbat Shalom!” or peaceful Sabbath

Our Friday evenings are getting more organized as Sabbath observation becomes routine. Each family member has specific roles on the Sabbath and looks forward to participating.

Shabbat Prep

Although we have activities and school that day, Friday is Preparation Day. We spend most of the day preparing for the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), the day’s focus. Without Preparation Day, preparing everything for a peaceful Sabbath is tough.

Each child (over 5) receives a Shabbat Prep Checklist on Friday morning. Their schoolwork, daily activities, and the chores they’re responsible for are on it. They have chores such as cleaning their rooms, selecting clothes for the next day, showering, and cleaning bathrooms. Doing these things on Friday allows for an evening and the following day, free to relax and enjoy family time.

My Shabbat Prep Checklist includes making meals for that evening and the next day, making challah bread, laying out clothing for the younger children and myself, cleaning the house, finishing laundry, and other tasks. I also ensure the table is set for our Sabbath meal and the necessary items are out (candles, candleholders, challah cover, decorative platters, etc.).

Here are the type of candles we usually use and a pretty cover for the challah bread similar to the one below.

EMANUEL Yair Silk Embroidered Challah Cover for Shabbat and Yom Tov -19.5 x 15.5 Inch

Welcoming the Sabbath

We light our Sabbath candles and say blessings around dinnertime. Usually, this is done just after sunset at the start of the Sabbath, a job commonly reserved for the woman of the house. My oldest daughter says the prayer after I light the candles. She covers her head with a headscarf to say the blessing, which is a sign of respect for God.

Click here for a Step-by-Step guide to welcoming the Sabbath!

After the blessing over the candles, my husband blesses the children and me. The blessings are our favorite part of the Sabbath! My kids wait expectantly for their turn to be blessed. It’s touching when my husband says Proverbs 31, a blessing over me. There’s so much value in my kids watching him do this week after week! You can find out more about the blessings here and here.

TLV Holy Scriptures: Thinline Edition (Leatherette)

After this, my husband says a prayer, and we eat. My husband usually has a subject to discuss related to the Sabbath, that week’s parsha, or just life in general. I try to choose a family favorite for the Friday evening meal to avoid any struggles over the little ones eating their dinner! Afterward, we always watch a movie as a family, complete with popcorn.

During the Day

On Saturday mornings, we either attend our Messianic Jewish Synagogue or do something recreational as a family. Saturday mornings are usually slower than mornings of other days, allowing time for bible study and rest. The Sabbath afternoon is often more leisurely than others, with naps and more study time being common activities.

We have an evening meal, then clean up after our restful day. We even include a Havdalah ceremony to mark the end of our Sabbaths.

Although our Sabbaths are free of work, we have plenty to do on Saturdays – the most important things! With the week’s work out of the way, we fill the day with much-needed rest, study of God’s word, and family time. What used to be an extra workday or a day to catch up on chores and household projects has become our most treasured day of the week. The best part is that keeping the Sabbath shows we’re in a covenant with the God of the universe, and we’re His people! What a marvelous blessing!

The Names of God: Elohim, the Mighty One

Written by Holy Branches on July 8, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. 6 Comments on The Names of God: Elohim, the Mighty One

There are so many names for God in the Bible. Among them are יהוה (translated LORD in most English translations, Adonai, Elohim, and more. But His names aren’t just there so we know what to call Him. In Hebrew culture, names meant a lot more than that. They described personality traits or even of the purpose of someone’s life.

The significance of names is the same with God. It’s through His many names that we can discover His characteristics and get to know who He really is! Some of His names were ways He named Himself, while others were given to Him by His people. Like many things we learn from the Bible, we discover many of God’s attributes through His interactions with the people in the Bible and the names they gave Him.

This article will cover the name Elohim and those related to it. If you’re interested in even more names of God, here are other articles in this series you may enjoy.

The Names of God: Revealing God’s Personality Traits

The Names of God: יהוה, the God of Israel

The Names of God: Adonai, Our Lord and Master

Find the free printable PDF Names of God Chart here!

If you’re new to the Hebrew language, it may be helpful to start with my posts on the Hebrew Alphabet and the Hebrew Vowels.

Elohim אֱלֹהִים

Plural for Eloah (אֱלֹוהַ ) and from the word El (אֵל), this is the first name of God given in the Bible in Genesis 1:1, just before God created the universe. This name implies God’s mighty nature. Elah (אֱלָהּ), a name meaning “awesome One” is an Aramaic word found in many places throughout the Old Testament, Daniel 2:18, for example.

Like יהוה, Elohim is often attached to other words to expose additional aspects of God’s character. In English translations of the Bible, Elohim is translated as “God”. It doesn’t just refer to our God but also to angels and gods in general, although it’s not capitalized in this case to indicate that. For example, it’s the word used in Exodus 20, verse 3, in the command, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

As I said above, Elohim is a plural form. But why is the plural form used when referring to God? Well, the Bible doesn’t directly explain it, but we do have a few clues. First, it’s not uncommon in Hebrew for something we think of as singular to be found in the plural form. Some examples are “water,” which is mayim (מַיִם), and “face,” which is panim (פָּנִים). Some say Elohim in the plural form refers to the Trinity, while others say that it’s a form of royal “we,” or an “honorific plural” used by or in reference to those of great importance and power.

Elohai, meaning “my God,” can be found where Ruth stays with Naomi in Ruth 1:16, when she says, “Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” It’s used in many places throughout the Old Testament and was used by Jesus when he quoted David (Ps. 22:1) before his death on the cross by saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Just as Elohai changes Elohim to make it “my God,” Eloheinu is “our God.”

El Shaddai אֵל שַׁדַּי

God gave this name to Himself in Genesis 17:1 when establishing His covenant with Abram. El Shaddai means “all-sufficient God”. The word Shaddai is also used by itself in Numbers 24:4, commonly translated as “Almighty.”

El Echad אֵל אֶֽחָד

His Names are Wonderful: Getting to Know God Through His Hebrew Names

Echad means “one” in Hebrew so this name means “one God” as in Malachi 2:10. It also reminds us of The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4 “our God is one”!

El Hanneman אֵל הַֽנֶּאֱמָן

Also in Deuteronomy, this name means “the faithful God” and is used in chapter 7, verse 9 in a warning to the Hebrew people not to turn from their faithful God.

El Tzaddik אֵל צַדִּיק

God gives Himself this name through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 45:21. It means “righteous God.”

El Elyon אֵל עֶלְיֹון

Meaning “most high God,” El Elyon is what King David called God in Psalm 9 when thanking Him for His perfect justice. Elyon can also be found alone, as in Numbers 24:16, where Baalam praises God in prophecy after Balak has tried to convince him to curse Israel.

El Elim אֵל אֵלִים

This name is used in Daniel 11:36. It shows, while others may have many gods, ours is the one who’s above them all!

El De’ot אֵל דֵּעֹות

Hannah gives God this name, meaning “God of knowledge,” in a prayer of thanksgiving for her much-awaited son, Samuel (1 Sam. 2:3). The fear (reverence) of God is described as the beginning of knowledge in Proverbs 1:7, so we can know that He’s the source of all the knowledge we need!

El Haggadol אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים

When addressing the Hebrew people, Moses gives God this name, meaning “the great God” (Deut. 10:17).

El HaKevod אֵל הַכָּבֹוד

“The God of glory” is what this name means. It’s found in Psalm 29, verse 3, where David beautifully describes our awesome God, as he does so often throughout the Psalms.

El HaKadosh אֵל הַקָּדֹושׁ

Hebrew Word Study: Revealing the Heart of God By Chiam Bentorah

In a description of God’s justice, this name, meaning “the holy God,” is given in Isaiah 5:16. There is no one holier than God, making His the only perfect and right judgment.

El HaShamayim אֵל הַשָּׁמָיִם

Meaning “the God of the heavens,” comes from Psalm 136 (verse 26), a Psalm of praise and thankfulness to God for His goodness and blessings to Israel.

El Olam אֵל עֹולָם

This name means “everlasting God” and can be found in Genesis 21:33, just after Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech. Our God is everlasting! He has no beginning and no end! Isn’t that amazing?

El Roi אֵל רֳאִי

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar gave God this name when she found out she was pregnant with Ishmael. It means God who sees”. Because of her life circumstances, it didn’t seem like God saw her, but He did, just like He sees all of us, even when we don’t feel like it!

El Yeshurun אֵל יְשֻׁרוּן

Yeshurun (also translated as “Jeshurun”) means “Israel” or “righteous people,” so this name means “God of Israel”.

El Yisrael אֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל

Just as El Yeshurun and as mentioned in a Psalm of David (Psalm 68:36), this name means “God of Israel”.

El Channun אֵל חַנּוּן

Jonah gave this name to God in Jonah 4:2 in a complaint to Him. It means “gracious God.”

El Rachum אֵל רַחוּם

From a message to the Hebrew people from Moses, this name means “God of compassion” and is found in Deuteronomy 4:31.

El Yashuati אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי

Related to the name Yeshua (Jesus), this name means “God of my salvation” and is found in Isaiah 12:2. The phrase “God of our salvation” is El Yeshatenu (אֵל יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ), from Psalm 68:19.

El Kanno אֵל קַנֹּוא

In Joshua 24:19, God is described as “kana”, which can be translated as either “jealous” or “zealous”. This aspect of God’s character is better understood when compared it to a marriage relationship. It’s similar to a man being jealous for his wife. He wants her to himself and doesn’t like to share. This jealousy is how God is with us. He wants to be our only God and doesn’t want to share!

El Hannorah אֵל הַנּוֹרָא

God is described in Nehemiah 9:32 as “the awesome God”. There’s no more accurate statement than that! He is indeed the most awesome there is!

El Chaiyai אֵל חַיָּי

This name, from Psalm 42:8, means “God of my life”. Is He the God of your life? If so, you know the peace that can bring! Closely related is Elohim Chai (אֱלֹהִים חַי), “living God”.

El Ghmulot אֵל גְּמֻלוֹת

In Jeremiah 51:56, Jeremiah refers to God using this name to warn that God will bring Babylon to justice for their treatment of His people. This name is translated as “the LORD is a God of recompense” or “the LORD is a God of retribution.”

Immanu El עִמָּנוּ אֵל

This name is one we’re all familiar with. Commonly translated “Immanuel,” “God with us” in Isaiah 7:14 points forward to when Jesus came to earth, and humans experienced God with them in the form of a man.

Elohim Emet אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת

While discussing idolatry, Jeremiah distinguishes our God as the “true God” with this name, found in Jeremiah 10:10. El Emet (אֵל אֱמֶת) has the same meaning and is also mentioned in Psalm 31:5.

Elohim Bashamayim אֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם

“God in heaven” is the name given by Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:6.

Elohim Chayim אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים

This name, meaning “living God,” is similar to El Chaiyai and Elohim Chai above. Chai (חַי) in Hebrew means “life”.

Elah Shamayia אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא

Similar to Elohim Bashamayim, from the book of Ezra (7:23), Elah Shamayia means “God of Heaven”.

Elah Yerushalim אֱלָהּ יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם

God is referred to as the “God of Jerusalem” in Ezra 7:19 and as the “God of Israel” (אֱלָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל) yet again in Ezra 5:1.

Eloah Selichot אֱלֹוהַּ סְלִיחֹות

I’m so thankful for this one! In Nehemiah 9:17, it says that our God is a “God of forgiveness.” We don’t deserve it, but He’s patient with us and has given Jesus to us to redeem our sin, which we can’t do for ourselves.

Elohei Tz’vaot אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאֹות

In 2 Samuel 5:10, the name, “God of hosts” is said to be the cause of David’s greatness.

Elohei Avraham, Yitzach, and Ya’akov אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם אֱלֹהֵי יִצְחָק וֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב

To distinguish from the many gods of the surrounding peoples, our God is the “God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.” “God of Jacob” can also be found as Eloah Ya’akov (אֱלוֹהַּ יַעֲקֹב) in Psalm 114:7.

Elohei HaElohim אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים

In Deuteronomy 10:17, this is another name for “God of gods,” similar to El Elim above. Another name with the same meaning, Elah Elahin (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין) can be found in Daniel 2:47.

Elohei MaUzzi אֵל מָעוּזִּי חָיִל

“God, a strong fortress” is what this name means, found in 2 Samuel 22:33. David gives Him this name in praise, attributing all his success to God. A similar name, El sal’i (אֵל סַלְעִי), meaning “God, my rock”, can be found in Psalm 42:9. The word for rock here can also mean a crag or a cliff.

Elohei Mikkarov אֱלֹהֵי מִקָּרֹב

“God who is near” is what God says about Himself in Jeremiah 23:23. What an amazing gift we have in that we’re able to have a God who wants to be close to us!

Elohei Marom אֱלֹהֵי מָרֹום

“God of heights” or “God on high” is how God is described in Micah 6:6. While this may seem like the opposite of the previous name, “God who is near,” but since He’s God, He can be both near to us and a God whose exalted!

Elohei Tzur Yishi אֱלֹהֵי צוּר יִשְׁעִֽי

Similar to El Yashuati above, this name given by David means “God, the rock of my salvation” and is found in 2 Samuel 22:47.

Elohei Mishpat אֱלֹהֵי מִשְׁפָּט

In Isaiah 30:18, the people of Israel are given hope that their God will bring justice to those who have mistreated them. This name means “God of justice”.

Elohei Kedem אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם

“Eternal God” is what this name means. It’s used in Deuteronomy 33:27 by Moses on his deathbed. Although he knows he can’t accompany the Hebrew people into the Promised Land, he does know the God that will go with them and that He is forever.

Elohei Tehellati אֱלֹהֵי תְהִלָּתִי

This name should really be the name we all have for God. Elohai Tellhelati means “God of my praise.” Like no one else, God’s the only one deserving of all of our praise!

Elohei Avoteinu אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹותֵינוּ

Meaning “God of our fathers”, this is yet another name given by David, and it can be found in 1 Chronicles 12:17. Elah Ahavti (אֱלָהּ אֲבָהָתִי) is similar but means “God of my fathers” (Daniel 2:23).

Elohei Nachor אֱלֹהֵי נָחוֹר

Just as He’s the God of Abraham, God is also described as the God of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, in Genesis 31:53.

Elohei Haruchot Lakol Basar אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחֹת לְכָל־בָּשָׂר

Moses and Aaron describe God as the “God of the spirits of all flesh” in Numbers 16:22, and Moses repeats this in chapter 27, verse 16. Our God is not only God over everything physical but also over the spiritual world! What an amazing God we have!

Click here for a free printable PDF version of my Names of God Chart!

There are so many names of God related to El and Elohim! It’s impossible for us to fully comprehend all of who He is but the study of His names gives us a glimpse of His character and He’s just awesome!

Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs About Money

Written by Holy Branches on July 3, 2025. Posted in Bible Study. No Comments on Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs About Money

I love the Book of Proverbs because of its time-tested truths and laws. For more articles from Proverbs, check out the Mic Drop Moments in Proverbs Page.

One of the most critical lessons for Christians is to be proper stewards of their money. Money is your ability to influence the world around you, and there is a shortage of good Christian influence. Much of this is due to how we are currently managing our finances.
The Bible has so much to say about how God’s people handle their money. The Book of Proverbs is a great place to start and not only gives us direction on money specifically but also on work, greed, giving, provision, and other money-related topics. There are too many to cover in this post, but here are a few of my favorites.

Go to the ant, O sluggard,
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief,
Officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
Prov 6:6-8

You couldn’t have grown up in my house without knowing this one. It was a favorite of my Great-Grandfather, and all of those under his care knew it like the back of their hands and passed it on as well. If you watch a community of ants, it won’t take long to realize just how busy they all are! They instinctively know to store food for when it will be scarce. As beings with the very Word of our Creator God to guide us, we should know – even better than the ants do – that we need to save some of our income for the future. You never know when a crisis will strike in this life or when financial changes will occur that are out of your control. It’s wise to be prepared!

“Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
“For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
Prov 8:10-11

The “speaker” in this verse is wisdom itself. It’s just one of many places in Proverbs where wisdom is personified to get the point across. It’s not saying that silver, gold, and jewels are wrong; it’s just that, given the choice, wisdom is the better option. You can have all the worldly treasure you want, but without wisdom, it’s empty and fleeting.

He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
Prov. 11:15

Proverbs 17:18 says pretty much the same thing. Being a “guarantor” can also be translated as “puts up security” or “puts up surety.” In our culture, this can occur when we co-sign for a loan or even lend money to someone. The verse says that we shouldn’t stand behind the promise of another person to pay us or another entity back. If the bank won’t loan them money, it’s because they probably don’t have the means to pay it back. We can gift money if help is needed, but guaranteeing that money will be paid back when it’s someone else’s responsibility isn’t our place and may cause us suffering.

He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
Prov. 11:28

We should ensure our financial success to the best of our ability, using wisely the resources we’ve been gifted with. It’s when we put our trust in that financial success that we fail spiritually. God wants all our attention and doesn’t want what He’s blessed us with to detract from that. Trust in Him and be humbly grateful for the riches He’s blessed you with.

There is one who pretends to be rich but has nothing;
Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
Prov. 13:7

We have a saying that explains what’s going on here – “Keeping up with the Jones’s.” We become great pretenders, with the ability to borrow money through loans and credit cards, allowing us to appear to have wealth that we do not. So many Americans live drowning in debt just because they childishly “pretend to be rich.” On the other hand, I know millionaires who live like they have much less, driving used cars, shopping at thrift stores, and using coupons. The outer appearance doesn’t always accurately portray someone’s financial situation.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Prov. 13:22

The Bible gives advice on how to handle our own money and how to set our children on the right path financially. Starting your life in debt from student loans, credit card debt, or auto loans is like starting a game with a negative number of points. “A good man” will use wisdom to put himself and his children in good financial shape. A parent must always have the best for his or her children on their mind. Planning for their financial success also includes teaching them about finances so that even if they get an inheritance from their parents, they use and invest it wisely rather than squander it.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Prov. 15:16

I’m pretty sure we would all say that having God is better than having money, but living that way is easier said than done. People are easily distracted, and comforts often win when they compete with our time with or service to God. We can all think of at least a few celebrities with great treasures but who also have turmoil in their lives that none of us would want! But what if we could have both? What if we could fear God and have great treasure and not let the treasure distract us from what’s most important? That would surely take a large amount of maturity and discipline to achieve.

House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Prov. 19:14

This Proverb is the bible version of “there are some things money can’t buy.” In this case, it’s a good wife. In our country, you aren’t supposed to buy a wife, but even if you could, how could you ensure you get a prudent one? So, wives, the takeaway is that rich, poor, or in between, our husbands can be blessed or cursed by us. Be a blessing to him, even if he sometimes doesn’t deserve it. Click here for more advice for wives from the book of Proverbs.

The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
Prov. 22:2

This is the crux of all of God’s Word, right? He doesn’t define us by our financial status or other ways we define each other but looks straight into our hearts. He wants our adoration and our obedience, and He ultimately wants to see us all spend eternity with Him (John 3:17). This should also cause us to check how we examine, define, and judge other people. We should continually work to have the ability to see people (including ourselves) through God’s eyes!

The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
Prov. 22:7

I cringe a bit when I read this, and I bet you do, too. No one wants to admit that this is the way it is, but the rich really do have more power, especially over those who owe them money. So, the lesson in this one is twofold – not to spend money we don’t have lest we become slaves and to handle our money responsibly so that we’re not poor and powerless.

Wait, slaves? In our culture? Absolutely! If you’re not personally carrying around massive debt, I’m sure you know someone who is. And I bet they aren’t living the life of a free person. Living in fear of repossession, being hounded by collections companies, or being sued by those to whom you owe money causes mental, emotional, and marital anguish. We must use our God-given resources wisely because we’ve been given the Gospel with a directive to go and make disciples, and that will be hindered if we’re struggling ourselves.

He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
Prov. 28:27

When we’re blessed with more than enough, it should be natural for us to want to bless others. I know it’s sometimes difficult to part with money we could use to better our own lives, but numerous places in the Bible tell us to responsibly and sacrificially give out of what we’ve been given.

Many people want to give but cannot due to their poor financial health. If this is you, I understand the helplessness you feel when you read about giving in the Bible. However, just the fact that the Bible mentions giving so much should prompt us to strive to become healthy enough financially to fulfill what God wants from us. That said, I know many circumstances put people in difficult financial situations. Please communicate regularly with God about His wishes for your life and money, and see the end of this post for professional financial help if you need it.

Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Prov. 30:7-9

This Proverb is one of my favorites because it proves God knows me so well! I would love to ask God to make me the wealthiest woman in the world (so humble, I know!), but He and I both know it takes so much humility and wisdom not to ignore God when we’re prosperous. Even now, when things are going well in my life, I tend to attribute that to myself rather than to God, who has indeed given me any success I have. Until I have the change in heart necessary to realize who’s really handing out the blessings around here, this Proverb is my prayer.

The Total Money Makeover Updated and Expanded: A Proven Plan for Financial Peace

Some of these Proverbs are a bit of a slap in the face, aren’t they? But even if we’ve been unbiblical about our finances in the past, that doesn’t mean we have to be that way forever. Today’s the day to stop digging and find a way out of the hole you’ve put yourself in. You can’t do what God has called you to do as well as you could if you were free financially. You can’t give what you don’t have in the first place.

Let today be the day you start handling your money how God wants you to. If you don’t already give to your church, that’s a great place to start. If you have been blessed with plenty, find a legitimate charity and give there. If you’re a slave to lenders, there’s hope for you, too! My husband and I have taken and taught Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and find it a direct and effective way to get out of debt and build wealth, even if you’re in way over your head. Here’s the link to his site. You can find a local FPU class, take one online, or use his other valuable resources to get financially fit.

What is a Messianic Bar Mitzvah?

Written by Holy Branches on July 3, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 1 Comment on What is a Messianic Bar Mitzvah?

While better known as a Jewish custom, some Christians and Jewish believers in Jesus (Messianic Jews) also embrace Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. What value is there in having a Bar Mitzvah? And why would a believer in Jesus as the Messiah want one?

What is a Bar Mitzvah anyway?

Let’s start with the words “Bar Mitzvah”. “Bar” is the Aramaic word for “son,” and “mitzvah” is the Hebrew word for “commandment.” So a “Bar Mitzvah” is a “son of the commandment.”

The term “Bar Mitzvah” can describe either the celebration (as in, “We’re going to attend a Bar Mitzvah”) or the person who has gone through the training and ceremony (as in, “He is now a bar mitzvah”).

Girls can also go through the Bar Mitzvah process. In that case, she would be called a Bat Mitzvah (pronounced “baht,” meaning daughter), and her ceremony would be called a Bat Mitzvah.

Whether boy or girl, at age 12 or 13, a Bar Mitzvah is held after he or she has completed training in the Jewish faith. This ceremony signifies that he or she is no longer a child but is on the way to adulthood. It’s the milestone that shows moral responsibility, and the responsibility of one’s faith transfers from the parent to the child.

Holy Land Market Messianic Tallit Prayer Shawl Royal Blue/Gold With Matching Bag, Card and Brochure From Israel

In preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a child will train for years, starting around age 9, with more concentrated training in the last year (their 11th or 12th year) before their Bar Mitzvah ceremony. This education, similar to Catechism or Confirmation, equips them to be part of their spiritual community.

A special service is held at their synagogue once their training is complete, near or on their birthday. The child leads the service and reads from the Torah scroll in Hebrew during this service. He or she also says the Shema and the blessings for the Torah reading.

The Torah portion read is often their “birth Torah.” This portion of Scripture was read on the Shabbat of the week they were born. They also talk (like a mini-sermon) about the portion and how it’s meaningful to them.

A party often follows the Bar Mitzvah service, with gifts for the new bar mitzvah and dancing (usually Israeli Folk dancing).

Where did this custom come from?

Although Biblical principles are woven throughout the Bar Mitzvah, it’s not directly mentioned in the Bible. The earliest mention of this ceremony is in the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, written as early as the 4th century. These are Jewish rabbinical writings meant to guide the daily activities of Jewish community members.

While Bar Mitzvahs have been held for centuries, ceremonies like the ones we see today date back to the Middle Ages. The Bat Mitzvah is a pretty recent development, appearing only in the 20th century.

Bar Mitzvah in the Bible

Although the Bar Mitzvah ceremony isn’t in the Bible, many believe Jesus’s Bar Mitzvah process is mentioned. In Luke 2:41-52, Luke notes that Jesus was 12 when he was left behind and found at the Temple, talking with the rabbis there. He was also in Jerusalem for Passover, a Biblical requirement for men. At 12, he may have been preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, which includes discussing Scripture with rabbis and learning to keep the laws concerning the festivals.

Many suggest that his age of 12 and his trip to Jerusalem for Passover indicate that he was in the process of preparing for his Bar Mitzvah or was there for the event itself.

Why have a Bar Mitzvah if I’m not Jewish?

As Christians, we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to the people of Israel. Both the roots of our Biblical faith and our Messiah are Jewish. As we live out our faith, we try to continually grow and be more like Jesus. Practicing our faith as he practiced his will give us a better understanding of him and our Bibles.

The other reason for having a Bar Mitzvah is to provide a solid spiritual foundation for those growing up with faith in the Bible and Jesus as their savior. It also serves as a milestone for children heading into adulthood, giving them an official crossover from childhood to adulthood.

Also, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs aren’t just for 12—and 13-year-olds! Those are just the minimum ages. Adults can have one, too!

How to have a Messianic Bar Mitzvah

The guidelines for candidates for Bar and Bat Mitzvah differ between congregations. If you want one for your son or daughter (or yourself!). Contact the rabbi or pastor of your Messianic or other congregation to inquire about their Bar Mitzvah procedures.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah candidates (or B’nei Mitzvot) should learn the following basics (ideally starting around nine years old):

The Hebrew Language – Candidates should have a solid understanding of Biblical Hebrew. B’nei should be able to read from the Torah and read and say the Torah reading blessings in Hebrew.
Their Torah portion: the content and how to read it in Hebrew and English. Use these links to find the Torah Portion for your birthdate and print it out in Hebrew and English.
How to say the Shema and understand what it means.
How to understand, read and say the Torah reading blessings from the Siddur (prayer book).

How to handle the Torah scrolls, ark, and other implements with reverence and respect.
The values and beliefs of their faith.
The religious practices of their faith.

Most Messianic Bar Mitzvahs include the following:

The Bar or Bat performing all or part of the Torah Service.
The Bar or Bat reading the Torah portion in Hebrew from the Torah scroll.
The Bar or Bat giving a midrash (mini-sermon) on what the Holy Spirit has taught him or her through their Torah portion.
Baptism (mikveh) may be included.
Boys may wear a tallit (prayer shawl), and girls may wear a head covering (scarf).
Some sort of celebration afterward, which can be potluck-style.

A Bar Mitzvah is a milestone in a young person’s life and can provide them with a firm spiritual foundation for life. It’s a meaningful ceremony and a clear point at which someone takes responsibility for their spiritual life and becomes a functioning member of their faith community. It’s also a time when one can declare his or her faith in the God of the Bible and Messiah, Jesus.

Gifts from the Holy Land: Artza Box: Genesis

Written by Holy Branches on April 17, 2025. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Gifts from the Holy Land: Artza Box: Genesis

Discover Artza Boxes, a monthly subscription service delivering handcrafted treasures from local artisans in the Holy Land straight to your door. Each quarter, you’ll receive a thoughtfully curated box with a unique theme, featuring an array of items such as gourmet foods, home décor, artisanal crafts, and educational materials. Dive deeper into the experience with included insights about the talented artisans behind these creations, fostering a meaningful connection to the Holy Land. Perfect as a gift or a special treat for you and your loved ones, Artza Boxes bring joy and inspiration with every delivery!

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount
on your Artzabox subscription!

This quarter’s Artza Box, themed around Genesis, celebrates creation and new beginnings. One thing you may find interesting is that some of the items included are on the subject of Shabbat, the Sabbath. The connection is what’s celebrated on the Sabbath – creation. Each Sabbath, we say the Kiddush, Genesis 2:1-3, “

Every item in the box is thoughtfully selected to reflect the essence of Genesis – creation and new beginnings. Here’s what you’ll find inside.

The included booklet features Banias, a breathtaking region of verdant landscapes and flowing waters, also known as Caesarea Philippi. This historic site holds profound biblical significance as the place where Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” prompting Peter’s powerful confession that Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20).

Today, Banias is a vibrant destination within the Banias Nature Reserve, drawing visitors to its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Explore the serene Banias Spring, marvel at the majestic waterfall, and wander through archaeological treasures, including the ancient Cave of Pan and Roman-era ruins. Perfect for pilgrims, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers, Banias offers a captivating blend of spiritual reflection and scenic wonder.

Yair Emanuel Hand-Painted Candle Holder Set

This lovely painted metal candle holder is my standout favorite from the box! Crafted by artist Yair Emanuel, celebrated for his vibrant and meaningful Judaica designs, it’s an ideal piece for an Erev Shabbat service, designed to hold two candles and adorned with the poignant Bible verse, “God saw that the light was good and He separated the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4) from the creation narrative. It elevates our Shabbat table with its beauty and pairs flawlessly with the Seven Days of Creation tray below. Emanuel’s other works, featured in past Artza Boxes, consistently bring such meaningful and stunning artistry to our collection.

Yair Emanuel Seven Days of Creation Serving Tray

This exquisite tray is also created by renowned artist Yair Emanuel. Perfectly suited for placement beneath the candle holder set in this box on your dining or display table, this painted metal tray serves as both a functional piece and a work of art. It vividly depicts the Seven Days of Creation, each panel illustrating a day of creation from the Genesis narrative with Emanuel’s signature blend of bold colors and intricate patterns. Ideal for Shabbat, holidays, or as a thoughtful gift, this Yair Emanuel creation brings spiritual depth and aesthetic elegance to any table.

Halva-Coated Peanuts

Halva, a Middle Eastern confection, offers a delightful, subtly sweet complement to crunchy peanuts, making these Halva Coated Peanuts an ideal snack. This treat celebrates the Holy Land’s heritage, with its packaging featuring Genesis 1:11: “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it…” A perfect blend of flavor and tradition, it’s a meaningful addition to any snack collection.

DeKarina Milk Chocolate Treats

DeKarina’s exquisite confections, featured in past Artza Boxes, shine again in this delightful treat. Velvety dark chocolate envelops crunchy hazelnuts, crafting a delectable snack. Artisan Karina, following her grandfather’s legacy as a chocolatier, handcrafts these chocolates in a region enduring heavy rocket fire from Hezbollah, embodying remarkable resilience. This treat is a perfect blend of rich flavor and inspiring craftsmanship.

Mixture for Challah Coating

This challah coating is a stellar addition to my family’s collection of challah recipes. We’ve tried numerous variations! This coating blends Za’atar, a vibrant Middle Eastern spice mix, with other Israeli herbs, creating a flavorful and visually stunning topping for challah or any bread loaf. Sourced from Derech HaTavlinim (The Spice Road Farm) in Bethlehem of Galilee, Israel, these spices are expertly crafted. Packaged by “In the Box,” a company empowering individuals recovering from addiction through employment and training, this coating delivers rich taste and meaningful impact.

Blessing for Israel Hand-Cut Paper Artwork

This framed artwork by Noa Attias captures the Holy Land’s splendor, depicting a native Israeli tree and bird that celebrate creation’s beauty. A lifelong artist, Attias infuses her work with the essence of meaningful traditions and events. The piece features a hand-cut tree shaped like Israel, enclosing a Hebrew prayer, translated in English as: “Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of the people Israel: Bless the State of Israel, with its promise of redemption. Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend out Holy Land. Deliver them; crown their efforts with triumph. Bless the land with peace, and its inhabitants with lasting joy”. A stunning and soulful addition to any home, this artwork radiates spiritual and cultural significance.

Genesis Journal

This exquisite journal celebrates the creation story in Genesis, adorned with Hebrew words, their meanings, and selected verses. Its hand-pressed paper pages, accented by simple illustrations, offer ample space for reflections on creation, Bible study, or personal thoughts. The cover, graced with a gold olive branch, features “In the Beginning” in both Hebrew and English. The Hebrew word Beresheet (בראשית), meaning “In the beginning” and the first word of the Bible, also names the Book of Genesis, the Torah’s opening book. Learn more about the Torah here.

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount
on your Artzabox subscription!

This quarter’s Artza Box is a radiant celebration of the Holy Land’s rich heritage, encapsulating the spirit of Israel through artisan-crafted treasures. Each item, from Hebrew-inscribed journals to Galilee-grown spice blends, weaves a story of faith, resilience, and tradition, inviting you to connect deeply with the land and its people. More than a subscription, it’s a meaningful journey that transforms unboxing into a moment of spiritual discovery. Perfect for enriching your own connection to Israel or gifting to someone who holds the Holy Land dear, this box brings the region’s timeless beauty and inspiration into your home. With every carefully curated piece, the Artza Box fosters reflection, gratitude, and a lasting bond with Israel’s sacred legacy.

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Passover with Kids

Written by Holy Branches on April 8, 2025. Posted in Passover. No Comments on Celebrating a Christ-Centered Passover with Kids

Passover is such a rich and meaningful Celebration for Christians, because it reminds us of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His people through both the Passover in Exodus as well as through our Savior, Jesus.

One of the reasons God tells us to celebrate Passover is to teach our children about Him through it (Ex. 12:24-27). We don’t have to add to the story of Passover to make it interesting. It’s an amazing story of an awesome God showing His supernatural power in order to rescue His people from a life of slavery to a life of freedom in Him! Here’s a brief overview of the Passover story if you need a reminder.

From Egypt to Messiah: A Messianic Passover Haggadah for Families

Kids and the Bible

I know there are some parents, grandparents, and guardians out there that worry about teaching children the more harsh parts of the Bible. This story contains death, sacrifice, blood, plagues, etc. and I understand how that seems like inappropriate material for kids.

But here’s the thing, guys. We need to keep our eye on the goal here. Why do we spend our precious time teaching our children stories from the Bible anyway? Because we want them to develop a relationship with the God of the Bible and to come to know Jesus as their Savior. We can’t reach these goals without telling them the Gospel story, that of Jesus’s crucifixion – the one where he bled and died and became the sacrifice that atones for our sin. If we were to leave this story out, we’d be wasting our time entirely.

So, are there any parts of the Bible we should leave out when teaching children? It does depend on their age and ability to handle difficult subjects. Some of the stories that include sexual sin, such as the story of Judah and Tamar (Gen. 38), or the specific gristly details like Judas’s intestines spilling out in Acts 1:18 could be left until the kids are older. But though we increase the detail in which we relay the stories as they mature, both the Gospel story and that of Passover can (and should!) be told age-appropriately to children.

As with anything difficult they may encounter in life, be ready to discuss it with your children. Questions about death, sacrifice, the wrath of God, plague details, etc. will come up. God’s holy Word does not return void when it goes out, so be wise in addressing your young audience but be cautious never to censor the words of God!

They Learn Through Stories

Why is it that we teach children Bible stories? Is it just to give them a collection of stories to carry around in their heads for the rest of their lives? No!

The purpose of the stories in the Bible are for us to get to know God through reading them. In Genesis, we meet God as the creator. In Exodus, we meet Him as our almighty God, our rescuer, and our provider. The story of Jesus’s death and resurrection introduces us to a God that forgives, despite His perfect justice and in Revelation, we learn of God’s supernatural side, His eternal sovereignty, and His desire to be with His people.

It’s not just children that learn best through stories. Even Jesus knows that we all learn better this way! He very often taught in parables to give us pictures of spiritual concepts using objects and situations we’re familiar with.

3 Takeaways

Just to make sure we stay focused while teaching our kids about Passover, here are a few of the most important points we need to make sure to convey.

1. God is All Powerful

In the Passover story as well as throughout the Bible, God’s infinite power is dramatically displayed. Although kids will pick up on this in the story, be deliberate in pointing it out so they can’t miss it. You can even teach them the long word omnipotence which means just that – all-powerful.

2. Jesus Died to Pay for Our Sins

Note the parallels in the Passover story between the Passover lamb and Jesus. This isn’t just a cool idea, it’s the amazing thing that caused John the Baptist to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:29). Both Jesus’s and the lamb’s blood saved and protected the people from God’s wrath. Jesus and the lamb were both pure and innocent. Both Jesus and the lamb had to die for us to be saved. There are more but these should get you started.

3. God Loves His People

It’s out of His love for us and the Hebrew people that God provided a substitute when His wrath would have destroyed us. Although God is completely just in punishment for sin, He also loves us enough to provide a way for us to be forgiven. He wants a relationship with us despite our choices to distance ourselves from Him but requires action on our part (blood on the doorway and accepting the gift of salvation) to initiate that connection.

Passover Resources for Kids

The Passover & Unleavened Bread Activity Book

Here are some wonderful resources I’ve found for teaching your children about Passover. You can just teach them the story and the concepts or you can lead them through a Passover Seder, which teaches the same thing through a multi-sensory re-telling of the story. Click on the item’s name below for more information or to order.

Bible Pathway Adventures Passover & Unleavened Bread Activity Book

I use Bible Pathway Adventures to teach my children (ages 2 through 12) about many Bible concepts and stories. I love that the printable and bound books include various activities on so many subjects. This one covers the Biblical Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread as well as a bit on Passover Seders.

Ultimate Sticker Book: Passover

It’s sometimes difficult to find an educational activity that holds the interest of toddlers and preschoolers but they love stickers! This book provides vivid pictures and an opportunity to have conversations about Passover while also keeping little hands busy.

Seder Plate Puzzle

Here’s another idea for the little ones! You can talk through the meaning of each element on the plate while they get their fine motor skills on.

10 Plagues of Egypt Toy Kit

This kit is helpful as a visual aid while teaching the Passover story or during the Seder. Each of these fun and interesting items creates opportunity for a discussion on the themes of Passover as well as the details of the story.

The Prince of Egypt Movie

Watching this movie (with plenty of popcorn!) has become a pre-Passover tradition in our home. This movie is unusual in that it’s pretty accurate Biblically, yet fun and entertaining for all ages! It gets the conversation about the upcoming celebration rolling in a family-friendly way.

A Christian Seder Meal: For Kids and Their Whole Family

This short book can just be read to teach children about Passover or used during a Seder to explain what’s going on and why. Not just for children, it contains simple yet meaningful explanations that even adults will find illuminating!

Ten Plagues Story Craft

I love this craft from Torah Sisters! It’s simple enough for my scribblers but my older kids get into it too. It’s also very versatile in that you can print it in color or allow the children to color it themselves. You could have them cut out the circles and attach them to a poster, banner, or other project, or glue popsicle sticks to them and use them when reading the Bible story or during the Seder.

Sing Dayenu

Dayenu is a Hebrew word meaning basically “it would have been enough”. It’s sung over and over with different verses, saying that if God had even only done one of the billions of things He’s done for us, it would have been enough. But we know, and Passover reminds us, that he didn’t just do one of those things. He’s forever faithful to us from the beginning of time throughout eternity!

Passover Ten Plagues Hand Puppet Kit

This kit comes with everything you need to make 10 puppets – 1 to represent each of the plagues in the story. You could tell the story while they’re busy assembling their puppets or use the completed puppets for the story or Seder.

Ella and Noah celebrate Passover: sticker activity book

Matzo House

We’re planning on trying this one this year. We made sukkahs out of graham crackers during Sukkot and my kids loved it! We always have a lot of leftover matzah so these cute houses would be a great way to use it up. It’s also a great opportunity to discuss the significance of unleavened bread and the picture the Bible gives us about yeast symbolizing sin in our lives.

Passover Page on jewishkids.org

A website made by Jewish parent site, chabad.org, this page contains many activities, books, songs, etc. for kids that relate to Passover. Although from a Jewish perspective, it will provide useful activities and information for your children on both the Passover story and Seder.

Whether it’s your first Passover with your kids or you’re a pro at this, you’ll find many helpful resources out there as you plan to introduce your children to the God of the Passover. I’m sure you’ll be so glad you did and you may even learn something yourself in the process!

A Very Basic Christian Passover Seder Guide

Written by Holy Branches on April 8, 2025. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Passover, Traditions. 14 Comments on A Very Basic Christian Passover Seder Guide

So, you’ve decided to incorporate the celebration of Passover into your Christian home. Now what? Where to begin? What to buy? Whom to ask? What to say? What to eat? I know only a couple of Christians that were raised with Passover as a family tradition. What a great blessing! Unfortunately, the rest of us must figure it out on our own. But recent years have produced a large number of resources for Christians interested in Passover. This is a great time to introduce Passover as a tradition in your family and to get started passing it on to future generations. Here’s a simplified, step-by-step guide to help you hold your own Christian Passover Seder. As you continue to learn and grow in this practice, you can involve more of the elements and customs as you see fit for your family.

Get a free printable version of this seder guide here!

Pray

Let God know your intentions. Ask Him to help you find the resources you need to observe Passover with your family. You’ll be surprised at His response!

Read the story of the Passover

Make sure you know what you’re celebrating and why. Even if you know the story, go over it again. Obviously, it’s no substitute for the bible but here’s a quick summary. Don’t miss the supernatural awesomeness of God displayed in this story! The point of all this was to show God’s power and proclaim His name throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). Make sure that gets done through your Passover celebration. Make sure God gets all the glory.

Collect supplies

Here’s a short list for a simple Seder.

A Haggadah – 1 per person (A booklet to lead participants through the Seder)
Bowl of water and towel for hand washing
A Seder Plate – 1 for each table or each participant (can be an actual Seder plate like this one but can also be any large plate)
Matzah – about 5 pieces per participant
Cloth (napkin or otherwise to wrap 3 pieces of the matzah in)
Parsley or celery – 1 piece for each participant
Salt – enough to make saltwater
Small dishes for saltwater – 1 per participant or per every few participants
Charoset – about 1/2 c. per participant
Bone – 1 for each Seder plate (usually a roasted lamb shank bone but we use a drumstick)
Horseradish – about 1 tablespoon per participant
Wine and/or juice – enough for each participant to have 4 glasses/cups
Glasses and/or cups – 1 for each participant
Full meal to eat (other than the Seder elements, usually pork-free and yeast-free)

Set up

Decide who will lead the Seder. Traditionally, it’s the man of the house, but it doesn’t have to be. This person will be praying, pouring wine, etc., so he or she may have to brush up on how to do a Seder ahead of time. Here’s a great video for that.
Fill hand washing bowl with water and have towel accessible.
Put Matzah on a plate so that everyone at the table has access to it.
Wrap 3 pieces of matzah in the cloth and set it at the leader’s place.
Make saltwater in either individual or shared bowls and place on the table.
Prepare Seder plate(s). Place bone, parsley or celery, charoset, and horseradish on the plate.
Place glasses/cups on the table.
Place wine/juice on the table to have it more easily accessible.
Make sure everyone has a Haggadah.

Rite Lite Blue & White Curlicue Seder Plate With Gold Accents

Simplified Summary of the Christian Seder

Pour the first glass of wine. Open with a prayer, thanking God for freeing us from slavery, both through the Exodus from Egypt and from sin through our Messiah, Jesus. Optional: say the HaGafen blessing together.
Pass the washing bowl around, and each participant should wash and dry their hands. This signifies that we must approach God with a clean and pure heart.
Dip the parsley in salt water. Tell participants that this reminds us of our tears in slavery. Eat it after the leader has praised God for the vegetables. The HaAdamah can be said at this time.
The leader removes the middle piece of matzah from the 3 pieces of matzah that have been set aside. It should be broken in 2, and the larger piece wrapped in the cloth. In some homes, it is hidden somewhere in the house for the children to find later. This reminds us that Jesus was broken, wrapped, and buried.
Everyone then lifts a piece of matzah. The blessing over the bread, the HaMotzi, can be said at this time. The leader then explains that the bread is like the bread that the Israelites had upon leaving Egypt. The absence of yeast represents the absence of sin in our lives due to the redemption of that sin through Jesus. Set the matzah down.
Pour another glass of wine. At this point, the youngest child in the house who is able to read should read The Four Questions.
1. On other nights, we don’t dip our food. Why do we dip our food twice tonight?
2. On other nights, we eat regular bread. Why do we eat only matzah tonight?
3. On other nights, we eat other vegetables. Why do we eat parsley tonight?
4. On other nights, we sit in chairs. Why do we recline tonight?
The leader then responds that tonight is different because tonight, we remember that God rescued us from slavery and the slavery of our sin. We dip our food to remind us of the tears shed in our slavery, and we dip again to remember that we are free. Eating matzah reminds us of the Hebrew people hurriedly leaving Egypt and the sinlessness of Jesus. Horseradish reminds us of the bitterness of slavery – both in Egypt and in our sin. We recline as if we’re royalty because we are free people.
The leader tells the Passover story. During the part recalling the plagues, the participants dip their finger in the wine and drop a drop of wine onto a piece of matzah as each plague is recalled (blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn). The leader should emphasize the actual Passover part of the story (lamb’s blood on the doorpost saving God’s people) and that Jesus’s blood allowed our exodus from the slavery of our sin.
Each person should hold up a piece of matzah. The leader should again say that we eat matzah because the Israelites left with no time for their bread to rise. The matzah is also like Jesus, who wasn’t “leavened” with sin so that he could be a sacrifice for ours.
The leader should raise the horseradish and tell everyone that this reminds us of the bitterness of slavery. The leader then puts the horseradish down. The leader should then explain that the charoset reminds us of the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build brick buildings for the Egyptians.
Everyone lifts the second cup of wine. The leader praises God for saving us and for the fruit of the vine. Then everyone should drink and eat the matzah.
The leader should praise God for the reminder of the bitter herbs. Then all participants should put horseradish on their matzah and eat.
The leader thanks God for the food and for this time to remember the Passover and Jesus, our Passover lamb. The meal is now served.
After the meal is the 3^rd cup of wine. You’ll recognize this part from the Last Supper recorded in the Gospels. If the middle matzah was hidden, now is the time to find it. The leader breaks the once-hidden broken matzah into pieces and gives each believer at the table a piece. Another glass of wine is poured, and everyone should hold the matzah and wine. The leader should summarize the Last Supper and then quote 1 Cor. 11:24 and Mark 14:22, where Jesus said, “This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then, everyone should eat their piece of matzah and hold their cup of wine up. The leader should then quote 1 Cor. 11:25 and Mark 14:24, where Jesus said, “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Then all believers should drink the 3^rd cup.
This is usually the time for a song of praise. Some say a Psalm or sing a hymn. My kids cannot let this moment pass without singing Dayenu until we eventually have to stop them. Ha ha!
The leader now pours the 4^th cup of wine, praises God for the fruit of the vine, and everyone drinks it.
The leader concludes, reminding everyone that tonight’s feast reminds of God’s deliverance for us, not only from slavery in Egypt but also from our sin and the death we deserve. We are redeemed through the blood of Jesus just as the blood of the lamb in the first Passover redeemed the Israelites.

Christ in the Passover: Celebrate a Christian Seder

I know there are some out there reading this thinking “A simple overview?!?!”. I was there once too! There’s more to a full Seder, but this post includes just what I consider to be the most important elements. It’s difficult to introduce this tradition if it’s new to you, but if you’ve been convicted that this is something you should be doing with your family, please do it anyway. My family’s first Passover didn’t go as we planned, and we stumbled through it, but we all have learned a LOT since then! Expect a challenge as you start and continue this rich tradition, and I’m guessing you’ll be blessed by your perseverance.

Get a free printable version of this seder guide here!

I love this pamphlet by Rose Publishing called Christ in the Passover! It explains why Passover is meaningful to Christians and the significance of the items and story behind the Passover Seder.

Happy Passover!

Read the Psalms in Their Original Language

Written by Holy Branches on March 5, 2025. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. No Comments on Read the Psalms in Their Original Language

How would you like to read the Psalms in the original Hebrew? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to hear the Psalms the way Jesus heard them? Here’s a way you can – even if you don’t know Hebrew!

Use coupon code HEBREWROOTSMOM to receive a 20% discount
on your Israel365 Book of Psalms!

Israel365

Israel365 publishes the Israel Bible Book of Psalms. They’re an organization that partners with Christians to connect those who know God’s heart for Israel with a practical way to support this precious Nation. As we watch prophecy unfold in the Jewish peoples’ return to Israel, we unfortunately also see them experience hardship in their return to the Land.

Violence and persecution mark what should be a joyous reunion, but Israel365 is helping to make the return to Israel easier for the Jewish people. Holocaust survivors and their families, children, widows, and others are the recipients of aid provided by Israel365. Israel365 also provides a dependable source for Israeli news and other ways for Christians to support Israel.

The Book of Psalms

I love the Hebrew language and feel strongly that Christians should strive to study it, but it can be difficult and time-consuming to learn a new language. We are so blessed to live in a time when we have access to technology that makes it easier to understand the Bible’s original languages, such as Blue Letter Bible and Bible Hub.

The Book of Psalms is another resource that allows you to read the Bible in its original language – without knowing Hebrew! It’s a unique book that contains the Hebrew, English translation, and English pronunciation of the Hebrew for the entire Book of Psalms. The pronunciation (transliteration) will have you reading the Psalms in Hebrew immediately, even if you don’t know any Hebrew at all!

Like others published by Israel365, this book is of high quality, with clear fonts and Hebrew vowel pointing, so it’s also valuable to those new to Hebrew. The chapter divisions are clear, with chapter numbers in both English and Hebrew. There’s also a chart of the Hebrew alphabet at the front of the book so the reader can learn as they read through the Psalms.

This book makes a remarkable gift to anyone who loves the Bible, a Hebrew student, or even a fluent Hebrew speaker! It would be an excellent devotional, an aid to verse memorization, or a way to practice reading in Hebrew.

Use coupon code HEBREWROOTSMOM to receive a 20% discount
on your Israel365 Book of Psalms!

I have many books on the Bible and many that contain Hebrew, but this is on my list of favorites! What a beautiful way to study the poetry of the Psalms!

75 Hebrew Words You Need to Understand the Bible

Written by Holy Branches on December 19, 2024. Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. No Comments on 75 Hebrew Words You Need to Understand the Bible

Understand more about the Bible with Israel365’s newest book. In celebration of 75 years as a country, this beautiful book contains 75 Hebrew words that reveal concepts in God’s word.

Use coupon code HEBREWROOTSMOM to receive a 10% discount
on 75 Hebrew Words!

The creators of this book, Israel365, have a passion for the people and land of Israel. They connect the people of Israel to those who desire to support the Holy Land. Israel365 is a dependable source of news concerning Israel, which can be difficult to find otherwise. They provide Biblical resources to help Bible students understand the Bible, as well as Biblical Hebrew.

The latest book by Israel365 is focused on Hebrew words throughout the Hebrew Bible. Understanding the Hebrew language can boost your understanding of the entire Bible. Read why I encourage all Believers to study Hebrew here: 7 Ways Learning Hebrew Benefits Your Christian Faith.

In 75 Hebrew Words, Rabbi Akiva Gersh has chosen words that increase your understanding of Biblical concepts. Here are a few of the words he explains in the book.

Soul

Hebrew: Neshamah, נְשָׁמָה

The rabbi teaches the connection between the soul and breath when describing the meaning of neshamah. Neshamah is the word used in Genesis 2:7 when God breathed His breath into the nostrils of the human. Understanding the full meaning of the word neshamah shows us that God not only gave us breath, He also breathed our souls into us!

Hymn

Hebrew: Zemer, זֶמֶר

The word “hymn” is used throughout the Psalms as a way we can connect with God, just as King David did. We know God hears our hymns, just as He heard King David’s. Why does the Hebrew text in Psalms sometimes say “Of David, a hymn,” but other times, “A hymn, of David”? Rabbi Gersh explains the difference and the significance in this book!

Holiness

Hebrew: Kedushah, קֶדֻשָּׁה

We may think we understand the concept of holiness, but the Hebrew provides even more clarity. Kedushah means holiness, but its root word, kadosh, indicates separation. This aspect of separation shows us that holiness includes a complete separation from things that are not holy. The rabbi expands on this idea of separation even more in his explanation of this word.

Use coupon code HEBREWROOTSMOM to receive a 10% discount
on 75 Hebrew Words!

75 Hebrew Words not only has intriguing explanations of Hebrew words from the Bible. It also features beautiful pictures from the Holy Land. It’s a well-made book that would make a great gift or even supplement your Biblical Hebrew studies. Click here for more information or to purchase yours!