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You’ll find that following the Hebrew calendar becomes necessary when you begin to observe the Biblical Holy Days and align your year according to the Bible. To guide you in this, I recommend you purchase a calendar with the corresponding Hebrew months and Biblical Holy Days. The one I use is from First Fruits of Zion. It includes the Holy Days, corresponding dates on the Hebrew calendar, and the Torah Readings for each week and holiday.
The significant differences between the Gregorian calendar we’re used to and the Hebrew/Biblical calendar are: – Hebrew days start the evening before instead of at midnight. – Hebrew months do not correspond to the months on the Gregorian calendar. – The Hebrew calendar has a different Leap Year system, adding in a month 7 of the years out of a 19-year cycle instead of a day every four years, like the Gregorian leap year. – The Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar. – Months are 29 or 30 days instead of 28, 29, 30, or 31 like Gregorian months.
Biblical Events on the Hebrew Calendar
It’s interesting to study events in the Bible and where they occur on the Hebrew calendar. We can note when they occur, remember them, and even study them on the anniversary of their occurrence!
Here are some of the events from the Bible that we know the date of on the Hebrew calendar:
Nisan/Aviv (The First Month)
God designated this the year’s first month (Ex. 12:2).
Nisan 1: Building of the Tabernacle was completed, the 2nd Temple consecrated, and construction of the 3rd Temple will be completed (Ex. 40:2, 17; 2 Chr. 29:17, Eze. 45:18).
Nisan 10: The Passover Lambs are chosen (Ex. 12:3).
Nisan 11: When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, his triumphal entry is when people greet him with palm branches and shout “Hosanna” (Mt. 21:10- 19).
Nisan 12: The Last Supper and Jesus arrested (Mt. 26:17-68).
Nisan 13: Jesus is crucified, and Passover begins (Mt. 26-27, Ex. 12:8).
Nisan 14: Passover (Lev. 23:5, Ex. 12:6-13).
Nisan 15-21: Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6, Ex. 12:15-2).
Nisan 15: The Hebrew people leave Egypt (Ex. 12:28-51).
Nisan 16: Jesus rises from the dead (the evening before), First Fruits (approximate date) (Mt. 28:1, Lev 23:9-14).
Shevat 1: Moses told the people God said He’d give them the Promised Land (Deut. 1:3-8).
Shevat 24: Zechariah’s vision (Zech. 1:7).
Adar (The Twelfth Month)
Adar 3: Building of the 2nd Temple completed (Ezra 6:15).
Adar 14: Purim, Jews celebrate victory (Est. 9:17-18).
Adar 25: Jehoiachin freed from prison (2 Kgs. 25:27-30).
Understanding the Hebrew calendar is vital to Belivers because it increases our understanding of the Bible and Biblical events.
Take the Temple, for example. Is it merely a coincidence that the construction of the first and second Temples happened within a day of one another, even though these events took place 485 years apart? How about when both Temples were destroyed on the same day, but the second was destroyed 656 years after the first?
Or, even more intriguing, that Jesus, who John referred to as the Lamb of God before his ministry even started, was crucified on Passover when the Passover lambs were killed (John 1:29, Mt. 26-27)? Or when the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, which happened over 1,000 years earlier, the Holy Spirit was given, and the Law was written on their hearts (Ex. 19:16-25, Acts 2)?
I don’t think any of this occurred randomly. It happened just as God knew it would. He also knew what was coming and what would happen in the future. Isn’t it amazing to look at the Hebrew calendar and see God’s faithfulness to His people throughout time?
The plan of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
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Many Believers who have embraced their faith’s Hebraic roots look forward to each new moon. What, if anything, do new moons have to do with our faith?
The new moon is not unique to those in the Hebraic roots and Messianic faiths; it has significance in many cultures. In Hebrew, the new moon is called the Rosh Chodesh, meaning “head of the month,” indicating that it starts a new month on the Hebrew or Biblical calendar.
The Science
Wondering exactly what a new moon is? It’s a thin sliver of moon that appears opposite the full moon in a lunar cycle. New moons can be predicted on the calendar; however, they can be seen within two days of that predicted date.
A new moon occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun. It appears dark, as if there is no moon in the sky, and the sliver of the moon can be viewed briefly just after sundown.
Where are New Moons Found in the Bible?
You may be surprised (I was!) at how many times new moons are mentioned throughout the Bible. They’re referred to as new moons but also as “the first day of the month.”
In Biblical times, the Hebrew people watched for the new moon and notified those at the Temple when it was sighted. Multiple witnesses were needed to ensure it was seen, as it was very important to mark the beginning of the month correctly.
It’s Biblical that the moon dictates God’s calendar. He even tells us at the very beginning of creation that that was why He created it:
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years
Genesis 1:14
The two important things to note in the above verse are that the word translated here as “seasons” is the Hebrew word “moedim,” which means “appointed times,” such as the Feasts and Festivals. The other important thing is that we notice here that watching the “lights in the expanse of the heavens” reveals God’s calendar to us!
And God’s people aren’t to use the new moons in this way only in Old Testament times. We see that Believers in the New Testament continued to observe the new moons even after Jesus’s ascent into heaven (Col. 2:16), and we’ll even use them in the future in the New Jerusalem (Is. 66:23-24 & Ez. 46:1-7)!
The Bible shows us that some significant things occurred on the first day of the month and points out that these things happened on the first day versus just any day of the month. Here are some of the places where Rosh Chodesh, the new moon, appears in the Bible:
It was the day the mountaintops became visible after the flood and the day the water completely dried up (Genesis 8:5 & 13).
It’s when the Tabernacle was to be set up (Ex. 40:1-2).
The holiday of Yom Teruah is to be on the new moon of the 7th month (Lev. 23:24).
It’s one of the times God talked with Moses (Num. 1:1).
Aaron, priest, and Moses’s brother died (Num 33:38).
David was expected to attend a meal with King Saul but didn’t show up (1 Sam. 20).
The Shunammite woman headed to visit Elisha, even though it wasn’t a new moon when she would have been expected to go (2 Kings 4:23).
Ezra started reading the Torah to Israel in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:6-10).
God’s word came to 2 prophets – Ezekiel (Ez 26:1) and Haggai (Hag. 1:1).
How is it Relevant to Our Faith?
Aside from new moons being mentioned in the Bible and coinciding with Biblical events, how are new moons relevant to our faith as Bible-believing Christians?
To alert us to God’s eternal calendar
Important Biblical events tend to occur according to the calendar God set up. In Leviticus 23, He laid out the Biblical Holy Days, including Passover and Shavuot. When Jesus died on Passover, it taught us that there are similarities between Jesus and the Passover Lamb. On the day the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, the Holy Spirit was given to them, which caused them to understand that the Law was now being written on their hearts.
Biblical events lining up with the calendar God set up is one of the most amazing things I’ve found in the Bible! I encourage you to look for more of these coinciding events. There are many!
To know the proper times to observe the Biblical Holy Days
When we pay attention to the new moons, we know when each month on the Hebrew calendar begins. In Leviticus 23, we’re given the month and day each Holy Day is to be observed. The new moon tells us which day is the first, and we can count from there to know when to observe a Holy Day.
The Biblical Holy Days are of great significance to our Christian faith! Here’s an overview of each Holy Day and its relevance to our Messiah. If you haven’t yet observed them as a tradition, give it a try—I think you’ll be blessed by it!
With no Temple to offer sacrifices, it’s not Biblically clear how to observe new moons. However, regardless of how it was done, the Bible clearly states that God wants His people to notice when it’s the first day of the month.
We can look to the Bible for some direction on what to do on each new moon, though. We can find out what was done on new moons in the Bible and see what we can practice in our day and age to learn and observe what God intended us to do. Of course, it’s always helpful to spend some time in the Word as we’re trying to understand any Biblical concept. Here are some references to the new moons and what was done at that time.
Blow shofars (Num. 10:10).
Present an offering at the Temple (Num. 10:10; 28:11, 14; Ezra 3:5; Neh. 10:32-33).
Have a celebratory meal (David was expected at a meal with the king, 1 Sam. 20:5-27).
Worship (Is. 66:23).
Celebrate. New moons are grouped with other celebratory festivals (Hosea 2:11).
Grain wasn’t sold on the new moon, possibly indicating that it was a Sabbath (Amos 8:5).
Given these Biblical activities done on new moons, what should we do? Here are some things Hebraic Roots Christians do during these times:
Blow shofars
Dance
Plan, discuss, and study the Holy Days of that month
Women gather
Pray
How do you know when the new moons are?
First of all, watch the sky! Also, I love the calendar by First Fruits of Zion for new moons and other appointed times. It also has beautiful pictures of the Land of Israel and verses for each month. Get your First Fruits of Zion Biblical Calendar here!
One of the things I enjoy about having a blog is that I get to hear from Christians around the world on the Hebraic path. Thank you for all your comments and emails!
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We Often Start As Islands
I hear many different things from my audience, but I hear one thing far more than anything else. Those who read my website tell me they’ve been convicted to practice their faith differently but find themselves alone. Their churches, families, and even spouses may be unsupportive of their journey, and lacking community in their new faith walk, they find themselves alone.
But this isn’t the case! They’re not alone. Although they may find themselves alone initially, many who have been on this path for years remember starting that way. However, now, they have a community of Believers on a similar path, and may even refer to that group as “family.”
What I’ve Witnessed
I’ve been on the Hebraic path for about eleven years and have seen it grow by leaps and bounds. When I was first convicted to divert from traditional Christianity, the resources were minimal. Now, there are many resources for those in our faith, and they’re continually increasing.
It used to be that an internet search of “Hebrew Roots,” “Christian Jewish Roots,” or other related terms led to just a few obscure results, which were low in the search results. But now, searching for these exact terms reveals many related results from numerous sources. There are blogs (like this one), videos, books, etc., on these topics on the internet, and they’re more accessible and easier to find.
Aside from Holy Branches, here are a few sites you may find exciting and educational.
When I search for Hebrew Roots books on Amazon, pages of related results will appear, where there weren’t many at the beginning of my journey. There’s even a homeschool curriculum for my children in this area, which is astonishing as it wasn’t available when my older ones were young—a few years ago!
The other thing I find much more prevalent in online stores is the items used in the practice of the Hebraic faith. Shofars, hanukkiahs, Messianic jewelry, clothing, etc., are available in many options, specifically for Christians in this faith!
Congregation Search
Searching for Hebraic and Messianic congregations is another area where I see this Movement’s growth. Results were minimal when I searched for Messianic congregations in the U.S. just a few years ago, but now many congregations appear in these searches, making it easier for those seeking fellowship to find it.
It’s exciting to be part of a growing faith and return to our Biblical roots. Look a little further if you feel you’re the only one on this path! We’re here, and our numbers are growing each day. Praise God!
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In addition, there’s a tradition that reminds us when the Sabbath is over, and we return to our regular week. It’s called Havdalah. In Hebrew, Havdalah means “separation” and celebrates what a blessing the Sabbath is. It’s a way of both saying our goodbyes to it and looking forward to next week’s Sabbath. As our God has asked of us, Havdalah is another way to remember the Sabbath. It’s also how we can keep it holy and set it apart from the other days.
The three essential elements of the Havdalah service are a cup of wine, a braided, multi-wick candle to light, and fragrant spices. Held on Saturday evening, just after sundown, the Havdalah service is typically held at home instead of in a congregational setting.
Like other traditions, the order of a basic Havdalah ceremony varies among households.
This blessing is the same one we say when we bring in the Shabbat called the HaGafen. Fill the cup to the very brim with wine. It’s okay if it overflows – that signifies our overflowing blessings. Recite the blessing, but don’t drink the wine until after the Havdalah service concludes.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Response: Amen)
At the Havdalah service, we smell pleasantly fragrant spices to remind everyone of the blessing we’ve been given in the Sabbath. Cloves and cinnamon are the most often used spices, but hyssop, anise, and other spices can also be used. A blessing is then said over the spices.
By lighting the havdalah candle, we remember two things – that light was the first thing created by our God and that the Sabbath is over, and we begin our work, our “creating.” Lighting the candle represents our first act or work of the week, as many don’t light candles on the Sabbath due to Exodus 35:3.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of the light of the fire.
The final blessing brings it all together. Havdalah is to distinguish the sacred from the common, the holy from the unholy. It states that the holy Shabbat has ended, and the work week has begun. This blessing praises God for separating. While this may seem strange, think of all the separating God does. He separated the light from darkness, the waters from the heavens, the seas from the dry land, the Sabbath from the rest of the week, His people from among the nations, etc.
In the command to keep the Sabbath, we must keep it holy. Keeping it holy means we’re to set it apart from the rest of the days of the week. Havdalah is one way to keep the Sabbath holy – we’re deliberately separating it from the other days of the week. Here’s the blessing over separation, called the Hamavdil.
In English:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane, light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of work. Blessed are you, Lord, who separates between the holy and the profane. (Response: Amen)
Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam, ha-mahv-dil ben ko-desh leh-chol, ben or leh-cho-shech ben yees-ra-el la-a-meem ben yom hash-vee-ee leh-sheh-sheht yeh-mei ha-mah-ah-seh. Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai ha-mahv-dil ben ko-desh leh-chol.
(Response: “Amen”)
The End of the Shabbat
After the blessings, take a drink of the wine. The havdalah candle is then extinguished in the wine that overflowed from the cup, symbolizing that the Shabbat is now over. Everyone can now wish each other a “Shavua Tov” – a good week!
A Havdalah service is important because it separates the holiness of the Sabbath from the other days of the week. Instead of just being another day, the Sabbath is separated with the Shabbat service on Friday evening and the Havdalah on Saturday evening. This clear separation is not only one way we can honor God’s command to keep the Sabbath holy. It’s also a way to align our week with His calendar and receive even more blessings by living according to His ways!
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Shalom! I’m so glad you’ve decided to observe a traditional Messianic Sabbath evening. I hope it becomes one of your family’s most-loved traditions, as it has in mine.
The Sabbath is not only one of the 10 Commandments; it’s a sign that we are God’s people (See Ez. 20:12, 20). By keeping the Sabbath, we’re not only being obedient to God but also showing our faith in who He is to us through our actions. Doing so brings glory to Him.
This guide provides a fundamental overview of a traditional Sabbath. Every family observes the Sabbath a bit differently, so feel welcome to use this as a guide and tailor it to work best for your family. Whatever you do, keep the focus on God and keep the day set apart for Him.
Friday is commonly known as Preparation Day because this is usually the time to prepare everything so everyone can rest on the Sabbath. Cleaning, food preparation, etc., are done in advance so everyone can rest, focus on God, and spend time with family.
Instead of days beginning at midnight like we’re used to in our culture, days on the Hebrew calendar start at sundown. So, the Sabbath is from sundown on Friday evening until Saturday evening.
Light the Candles
The woman of the house is usually responsible for lighting the candles and bringing in the Sabbath. Two candles are lit to signify the two commands given regarding the Sabbath—to remember it and to keep it holy.
Although not required, women traditionally cover their heads during the blessing as a symbol of humility before God. The woman covers her head with a head covering (scarf), lights the candles, and says the following blessing.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to be a light to the nations and Who gave to us Jesus our Messiah, the light of the world.
Different blessings are said over boys and girls, and the Aaronic Blessing follows both. The father usually says these blessings, although anyone can bless the children.
The blessing for the boys comes from Genesis 48:20, where Jacob said, “By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!'” The blessing over girls holds them high that they would become like some of the most remarkable women in the Bible
The Blessing over the Wife comes from Proverbs 31, verses 10-31. Interestingly enough, this blessing is also said over women who are not married. This blessing shows appreciation for wives and all women for all they do to hold homes and communities together! The husband usually says it, and it is as follows.
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.
She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying
“Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
The Kiddush reminds us why we’re doing what we’re doing. It incorporates verses from Genesis that discuss the Sabbath, as well as a blessing over the wine and thanking God for choosing and sanctifying the nation of Israel. The man of the house traditionally says it.
The person saying the Kiddush holds the cup of wine up while reciting it. After the Kiddush is said, each participant can either take a drink from a single Kiddush cup or their own wine/juice glasses.
And it was evening and it was morning, the sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. And God finished by the Seventh Day His work which He had done, and He rested on the Seventh Day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed the Seventh Day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work which God created to function.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Response: Amen)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has hallowed us with His commandments, has desired us, and has given us, in love and goodwill, His holy Shabbat as a heritage, in remembrance of the work of Creation; the first of the holy festivals, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and with love and goodwill given us Your holy Shabbat as a heritage. Blessed are You Lord, who hallows the Shabbat. (Response: Amen)
The Hamotzi is the blessing over the bread. We usually sing it together, and one person holds the challah, plate and all, up while we sing. After the Hamotzi, the bread is set down to be eaten later. It’s often eaten by tearing pieces off and dipping them in the wine or juice.
Here’s the traditional tune:
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
After that, enjoy your meal together and have a restful Sabbath! If you’re looking for ideas for what to do with the rest of your Sabbath day, read What DO We Do on the Sabbath.
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Once a Christian is convicted of making changes to their faith and proceed on the journey of incorporating their Hebraic Roots into how they practice their faith, they often need to find a different type of community to support them in that. Although it can be challenging, many find that they need to seek a congregation that believes and practices similarly.
Going down the river in two canoes
My rabbi described this point in life as going down the river in two canoes – one foot in each. All goes well until you come to a rock. Then you have to choose which canoe to stay in to continue down the river.
Like many in this position, I once had my feet in two canoes. But issues came up that were difficult to resolve – holidays, Bible versions, how and what to teach children, whether to make diet changes, etc. and I had to decide which canoe my family and I were going to stay in on our journey down the river of our faith.
When a rock is approaching
While it’s growing quickly, the Hebraic or Messianic faith is still less represented than other traditional Christian faiths. I’ve been contacted by Believers all over the world who have reached the point where they can’t figure out where they belong. Congregations that lean more toward a Hebraic faith can be difficult to find but in less about 10 years (the amount of time I’ve been searching for resources in this area), The number of congregations has grown significantly!
So, if you’re one of those in two canoes, watching a “rock” approach, and feeling like you need to get into one canoe or the other, this post is for you! I’ll share some ways I’ve discovered to find a Hebraic faith community, and perhaps one of these ideas will help you find your own.
A few organizations have recognized the problem of finding a congregation and created online directories of Hebraic/Messianic Jewish congregations. Not all are listed on these, but they’re a great place to start!
Torah Club is a deep, in-person Bible study that restores the Jewishness of Jesus and the Bible. There’s a good chance there’s a group near you! Find a Club in your area here!
Use a search engine
Of course, you can also use your favorite search engine or mapping program to find a congregation. Search terms such as “Messianic Jewish” or “Yeshua” will be helpful.
Another place to look is on social media. Some smaller congregations may not have a website or be listed in a directory, but they may have a Facebook page, a MeWe group, or an Instagram profile. Use the terms above and include the name of your city to help dig up congregations not found elsewhere.
None in your area?
If you’ve searched online and can’t find a community in your area, don’t be discouraged! You’re not alone; you just haven’t found your people yet. Keep searching! But in the meantime, participate online with congregations that live-stream or record their services. There are many of these, and, like live congregations, the number is growing!
I’ll continue to update this post with congregational resources I find. If you know of any not listed here, add them in the comments! Let’s do all we can to connect our fellow believers in Yeshua, our Messiah!
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When I started on my Hebraic path, not only did I not know what to expect, but I wasn’t sure I’d even be welcome at a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. Not being Jewish by heritage, I wondered if they’d be open to my visitation. But I had to find out, so I packed up my nine-month-old baby and decided to slip into the back of the sanctuary and observe a service.
Fast-forward to today, and I’m so glad I did! The first synagogue I attended was completely different from any Christian church I’d ever been to. However, what I could understand of the teaching and service was very Biblical and rich!
To help Christians interested in visiting their local Messianic synagogue but hesitant to do so, I’ve compiled this list of things it would be helpful to know ahead of time. All synagogues are different, so my list is based on the synagogues I’ve attended and those I’ve watched online. Your experience will undoubtedly differ from mine, but here are a few things you may find if you decide to visit.
They Meet on Saturday
Since the 7th day of the week is the Sabbath Biblically, they come together for worship on Saturdays.
All of the synagogues I know start later than the churches I’ve attended. Services typically begin at 10 am, and some even meet as late as 5 pm. The reason for a later meeting time is that the Sabbath is intended to be a restful day, allowing for an unhurried morning and separating it from the rest of the week’s busy mornings.
You’ll Probably Meet People Like Yourself
There aren’t just Jewish people at Messianic Jewish synagogues. I’ve found that most of the congregation is often Christian, with no Jewish heritage or background! They’re there to learn and worship just like you are!
You’ll find that many of the teachings are the same as what you’ll find at a Christian church. They teach that we’re saved by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and not by works. They teach from the Old and New Testaments and serve communion like the traditional Christian church.
They’ll Greet You With “Shabbat Shalom”
Upon reaching the door of the first Messianic synagogue I attended, the smiling, friendly men standing outside said “Shabbat Shalom” as I approached carrying my little one. I didn’t understand them at all at that time, though! I smiled awkwardly, said “Good Morning” in response, and walked in the door, making a mental note to look that one up later!
Shabbat is Hebrew for Sabbath, and Shalom means peace. So when someone wishes you a Shabbat Shalom, they wish you a peaceful Sabbath. What a pleasant way to greet one another!
The Accessories are Unique
In the Christian church, it’s commonly known etiquette that men remove their hats during prayer. In a Messianic congregation, it’s just the opposite. Many men have their heads covered, either by a kippah, the traditional small hat many Jewish men wear, or by a fedora or other hat. Some women wear head coverings during prayer, liturgy, or Torah reading as a sign of reverence to God. Male congregants often have a prayer shawl, which rests on their shoulders but is also placed over their heads (and sometimes the heads of those close to them) during prayer.
You’ll probably also see blue and white tassels hanging from peoples’ clothing or prayer shawls. These are called tzitzit and are worn in response to the command in Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. They serve as a reminder not to stray from God’s commands.
You’ll Hear a LOT of Hebrew
Hebrew is the predominant language of the Old Testament and likely some of the New Testament. Many learn biblical Hebrew to aid in their study of the Bible and participate in the synagogue worship service.
If you don’t know Hebrew, it may seem like everyone around you at the synagogue knows Hebrew, but that’s probably not true. Those I’ve encountered are at varying levels of Hebrew knowledge, and because of this, the synagogue usually has an English translation to accompany what’s said in Hebrew. And a bonus – if you attend regularly, you can’t help but learn some Hebrew merely through exposure!
The Music is Intense
Although some of the music you’ll hear at a Messianic synagogue is the same as that of a Christian church, some is also very different. They commonly play music with an energetic Jewish rhythm. Other songs are deep and meaningful, and many are based on either stories or direct verses from the Bible. Here are some examples of popular songs for you to listen to.
There’s Dancing!
Regarding the music, there is also the subject of dancing. Both men and women, young and old, can participate in the dances that take place as part of the worship service. Most of the time, these dances are not performed for entertainment but rather as a form of worship. People don’t generally use this as a time to bust out their moves, though. Instead, the dances are organized and comprise steps that the dancers have learned and practiced. They’re group dances, commonly circle dances, that are fun to participate in and pleasant to watch.
The Shema is said (at least once) during a Messianic service. The reason for this is two-fold. First, there is an Old Testament command to recite the Shema twice daily. The second is that Jesus answered with the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is (Matt 22:36-40).
It’s usually said in Hebrew and then English, and congregants often face East when reciting the Shema. They face East because East is the direction of Jerusalem, where God’s Temple site is and where our Messiah will set up the New Jerusalem, where all who believe in and follow him will reside with him one day!
Or they may not. I’ve been to synagogues that do both, but I wanted to include this because it may be foreign to those used to a more contemporary church setting. Some Messianic communities use a Messianic Siddur for the order of service, prayers, etc. Others use parts of the Siddur and put the words on a screen for congregants to follow. And, as I mentioned earlier, some don’t use one at all.
The Torah is Celebrated
During what’s known as a “Torah Service,” the Torah scrolls are paraded around the sanctuary, accompanied by joyful music, and then read afterward in Hebrew and English. This lively parade is to celebrate and revere the words of God. As Christians, we often forget what a tremendous blessing it is for God to have given us His written Word, but this is a beautiful weekly reminder of what a gift God’s Word is to us!
They Bless the Kids
Each Messianic community I’ve observed and attended has had a heart for the next generation. Biblically, we’re to teach our faith to our children, and these congregations take that directive very seriously and are deliberate about it. Sometime during the service, there’s a blessing over all of the children. The synagogues I’ve attended are also surprisingly child-friendly. They encourage those attending services to pass their faith on to their children, even if that means some background noise from wiggly children during the service.
There May Be a Shabbat School
Speaking of children, many Messianic synagogues have Shabbat School for the children. Shabbat School is a program similar to Sunday School, where the children learn biblical truths and about their faith. The Shabbat Schools my kids have attended also teach basic Hebrew letters and words.
One synagogue I attended didn’t have a Shabbat School because it encouraged parents to keep their children with them during services. The rabbi stated each Saturday that he loved having the kids in the service and that their noise and activity were a blessing, as they could learn from the synagogue proceedings and watching their parents worship.
It’s always a sweet moment when the end of the service arrives, and it’s time for this blessing. Families and friends gather together, sometimes joining hands, putting arms around each other, or covering each other with their prayer shawls to receive the blessing. It’s a warm and fuzzy moment where everyone in the room feels like family! The Aaronic Blessing is typically recited in Hebrew, followed by an English translation.
Commonly referred to as an Oneg or “joy,” there’s often a meal following the Sabbath service. Members each bring a dish and eat together before going home or to further studies in the afternoon.
If you plan to attend an Oneg, they’ll probably welcome you regardless of whether you bring a dish. Just know that many synagogues have rules (biblically-based dietary rules) on what can be served if you decide to contribute. Ask ahead of time if you’re bringing a dish, but either way, enjoy this time of great food and fellowship!
Whether you’re just curious or planning a visit to a Messianic Jewish synagogue near you, this list should give you an idea of what goes on there. While the experience will be very different from what you’d have at a Christian church, I’ve found that both the teaching and practices are Biblically sound. Each of my family members has grown spiritually through the instruction we’ve received at the Messianic synagogues we’ve attended.
Need a how-to guide for your Passover Seder? Do you want detailed instructions on how to keep the Sabbath? Here’s a book with all you need, including explanations, recipes, blessings, and more! It will be a useful resource on your Hebraic faith journey!
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