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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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.
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!
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.
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.
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Once a Christian is convicted to make changes to their faith and proceed on the journey of incorporating their Hebrew 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 difficult, many find they need to leave their Protestant or Catholic Church and 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 the Hebrew Roots Movement, I had my feet in two canoes. I still do in some areas. But issues came up that were difficult to resolve – holidays, Bible versions, how and what to teach children, etc. and I had to decide which canoe my family and I were going to stay in.
When a rock is approaching
While it’s growing quickly, the Hebrew Roots Movement is still less represented than other traditional Christian faiths. I’ve been contacted by Christians all over the world who have reached the point where they need to stay in the Hebrew Roots canoe but can’t figure out where they belong. Congregations that believe this way can be difficult to find but in less than a 10-year period (the amount of time I’ve been searching for resources in this area), The amount of congregations has grown significantly!
So, if you’re one of those, feeling like you need to get into one canoe and are watching a rock approach, this post is for you! I’ll share ways I’ve discovered to find a Hebrew Roots faith community and maybe 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 Hebrew Roots/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
You can use your favorite search engine or mapping program to find a congregation as well. Search terms such as “Messianic Jewish” or “Yeshua” will be helpful.
The other place to look is on social media. Some smaller congregations may not have a website or be listed in a directory but have a Facebook page, MeWe group, or profile on Instagram. 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 in how you practice your faith, 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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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.
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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While a Hebraic view of the Christian faith may seem new to some, many of us arrived here quite honestly while maturing and applying our faith. An honest analysis of what my daily life should look like and how to pass my values on to my kids brought me into the Movement. Years before, I had accepted Jesus as my savior and declared my faith outwardly in baptism. In studying the Old Testament, I couldn’t reconcile the parts of my faith that didn’t seem to align with God’s plan for His people. I wanted to be all in – serious about my relationship with God by following His word and His son without just following those before me.
Praying God’s Heart
In a leadership exercise for my Bible Study group, I decided to pray for God to put on my heart what was on His. While this was something I had never done before, I did it anyway. I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t expect anything to change. But He did answer! Once I began to pray for this, I always had Israel on my mind. Before this, I couldn’t have even located Israel on a world map (another embarrassing confession). I started to notice information about Israel everywhere. It was in the news, mentioned in social media, and, most importantly, during my study of the Old Testament. I realized just how important Israel and the Jewish people are to God and His story for us.
Years later, we studied Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments in another Bible Study. One of the study questions asked how I obey the 4th commandment – to keep the Sabbath (Ex. 20:7). This created a significant struggle for myself and another person in my group. The rest had already resolved the issue, though. Their answers varied widely, from “I use paper plates on Sundays” to “I take a yearly vacation.” While none of these responses are bad in themselves, none of them seemed right. I couldn’t get it out of my head. How was one to obey this command? Could it really be just whatever I thought was best, or did God have something specific in mind? So, I did some research. In Exodus, it says to remember the Sabbath. In Deuteronomy, it says to observe it and keep it holy. Those verses seemed vague, so I looked throughout the Bible (The Sabbath is mentioned a LOT!) and found some obvious truths about the Sabbath.
God takes it very seriously. (Ex. 16:27, 20:11, 35:2 and 31:16, Numbers 15:32, and many others)
It’s on the seventh day of the week. (Ex. 20:10 and many others)
God’s people aren’t to do any work. (Ex. 20:10 and others)
It was established for us! (Exodus 23:12 and Mark 2:27)
The Sabbath is a forever covenant between God and His people. (Exodus 31:16, Leviticus 16:31, Isaiah 56:6)
So now I had even more motivation to figure out what was required by this commandment. Christian sources on the Sabbath revealed a wide variety of ideas.
Most Christian sources suggested:
The Sabbath has changed to Sunday, or it can be on whatever day you choose.
We are no longer responsible for obedience to this commandment.
Going to church on Sunday fulfills the commandment.
We should do something relaxing on Sunday, like shopping or watching sports.
We should spend extra time with God (reading His word and praying).
Read Christian books.
Try not to work on Sundays.
I also found many other ideas over an extensive range. The common understanding is that God doesn’t care how or on what day we do the Sabbath, only that we remember it and keep it holy. I struggled with the answers I got from Christian sources because they were either very weakly backed up by scripture or centered around self and not God.
This confusion led me to research Jewish sources. Since they firmly believe that the Sabbath must be kept, I wanted to find out how they say one must keep this commandment.
The Jewish sources suggested:
The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week (Saturday).
It should include a celebratory meal
No work should be done.
It should include the father blessing his children and wife.
It requires preparation (Friday is Preparation Day).
There are specific bible readings for each Sabbath.
It includes the whole family.
There’s more to it, but these were my initial findings. I realized Jews have clear and specific ways to keep the Sabbath commandment. They do not have a broad range of days that can be called the Sabbath. They do not offer self-gratification as obedience to this command. They have been doing the same thing for thousands of years, teaching generations how to remember and observe the Sabbath. It will look the same to future Jews as well.
But what will a Christian Sabbath look like in the next generation? And the one after that? Because Christian Sabbath traditions seem to be held so loosely, I fear that the next generations of Christians may not recognize the Sabbath at all. Since I don’t want that for my family, we adopted a Messianic Jewish Sabbath as a tradition in our home.
Establishment of the Sabbath in our home
I concluded that Sabbath observation needed to be done differently in our home, and I was determined to get started. Pregnant with my 4th child, with three children aged six and under, I attempted not to work on the Sabbath. What a joke! How on earth does a mother of small children take a day off? It seemed impossible. Again, I found myself perusing Jewish sources to figure out what women did to observe the Sabbath. What I found is that the Sabbath dictates a lot, if not all, of what a Jewish woman does throughout most of her week. Friday is known as Preparation Day because all that needs to be done over the next 48 hours (Friday morning through Sunday morning) must be completed before Friday evening when the Sabbath begins. Also, some tasks must be done before Friday to leave it free for Sabbath Prep. It wasn’t easy at first to work this into my family’s schedule, but after we figured it out, I realized that it is not only possible for a busy mother to not work on the Sabbath, but it is freeing, relaxing, and mentally cleansing for her.
Once the Sabbath became a regular practice in my home, something changed. Peace entered our family. We suddenly had time for the high priorities that were getting pushed out of our schedules due to immediate needs. We had time to study our bibles, spend free time with each other and our children, and meet with other believers to worship without having a stressful, packed day. When asked what their favorite day is, all my children say “Shabbat” (Sabbath in Hebrew). All week, I look forward to having the peace that comes on Saturday. It is not a day of stifling restrictions but peace, togetherness, and, most importantly, time with God.
Celebrating Passover
The same Bible study that yielded my restlessness with the Sabbath command brought to my attention the Passover feast command.
Exodus 12:14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
Exodus 12:17 And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.
Exodus 12:24 You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever.
Exodus 12:26-27 And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'”…
Exodus 13:3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.
Exodus 13:10 You shall, therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.
God’s people were told to keep this feast as a day of remembrance – a memorial throughout generations, eternally, forever! How is it that I have grown up in the church and never even understood the feast of the Passover? How is it that, until I was an adult and sought it out on my own, I had not seen or heard of a Christian participating in a Passover Feast? What happened to eternally, forever, and throughout your generations?
Something you cannot miss when you immerse yourself in the study of the Bible is that God repeats things when they’re essential. Apparently, He knows that we tend to get distracted and skip over the things we don’t like or don’t understand in His word (we all do it), so He decided to make certain things extra clear. In addition to the six repeats of God’s command to keep the Passover Feast in Exodus, its importance is indicated throughout the rest of the Bible. All the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) recount Jesus’s participation in the Passover Feast as a child and an adult.
What followed was my fierce determination to learn more about this Passover Feast and how to incorporate it into our family traditions. What I found was surprising! Many Christians put information out for other Christians on Passover. They usually include how the elements used in a Passover Seder are relevant to Christians and point so perfectly to our Messiah!
Learning to hold a Passover Seder (Seder means “order” in Hebrew, and it is what the Passover Feast is called today) was, and continues to be, a learning process for our family. You can get an idea of how we celebrate Passover here. It changes each year as we learn more and incorporate that into our celebration.
The rest is history (or His story!)
While realizing the importance of Israel as a nation and keeping the Sabbath and Passover started my family and I down the Hebraic path, it has in no way ended there. We also observe Sukkot, Shavuot, Chanukah, and Yom Kippur. Each family member is at varying levels of the study of the Hebrew language. We have incorporated many delicious traditional Jewish recipes into our meals and more! Our family has grown spiritually by leaps and bounds since our first steps on this path, and I look forward to where God takes us from here and the glory that it brings Him!
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Discover unique Holy Land items with Artza boxes. Artza offers unique Holy Land items, supporting local Israeli businesses and charities. The Christmas Joy box features unique ornaments and other joyful holiday items.
Have you heard of Artza boxes? These are not your ordinary boxes. They deliver an array of unique items to your doorstep, all handcrafted by local artisans from the Holy Land. Each Artza box is a treasure trove of artwork, delectable food items, luxurious body care products, and other unique items such as handmade decor, and local spices, making it a truly exclusive experience.
Want to see what’s in other Artza boxes? Click here to read my reviews on previous boxes.
Picture this: you’re unboxing a package that embodies the spirit of the Holy Land, brimming with items that add a festive touch to any day! This quarter’s Artza box celebrates joy, featuring various items handpicked from different corners of the Holy Land. The theme of joy is not just a theme. It’s a heartfelt message waiting for you inside this box!
Artza boxes are more than just a gift for you or a loved one. They are a gift that keeps on giving. As Artza says, “With every Artza box, you’re not just receiving a gift – you’re giving one. Your purchase supports local Israeli businesses and charities, allowing your kindness to shine across the Holy Land. It touches the lives of those dedicated artisans who craft these unique gifts, and for that, we are truly blessed by you all.”
ADI creates this set – The Ability Boutique, a company that employs their residents – those with severe disabilities – to craft these gorgeous ornaments for Artza boxes. The proceeds from the ornaments directly benefit the residents and their individual growth! ADI is just one of the many local businesses that Artza collaborates with. Each box features items from different artisans, showcasing the diverse talents and skills of the Holy Land’s local community.
We don’t put a Christmas tree up in my house, but these ornaments are beautiful and will be displayed year-round. One features an outline of the country of Israel, reminding us always to keep them in our prayers, as stated in Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May those who love you be secure.'” The other says “Shalom” in Hebrew and English and will be hung to greet all who enter our home.
Star of David Candle Holder
Made from olive wood grown in Bethlehem, a Christian craftsman creates these. This candle holder is a decoration that’s both attractive and meaningful. I placed a tea-lite in ours, and it fits perfectly. You could also use it to hold a thick round candle of the correct size.
Bundukim Halva Coated Nuts
These are AMAZING! This box includes a small package, but not even a huge package of these would go far with my family. Nuts are coated with Halva – a tahini-based confection typical to the Middle East. They aren’t overly sweet but are such a tasty treat!
Shalvatea: Chamomile Rose Lavender
I remember Shalvatea because we received some in the Golan Heights box, and my house full of tea drinkers really enjoyed it!
The tea included in this box is a calming blend of chamomile, rose, and lavender. It has a pleasant aroma and flavor, a bit of a sweet taste, and comes in 18 tiny cloth tea bags. Shalvatea is made by hand by people with physical disabilities, so it’s a marvelous organization to support!
100% Natural Date Syrup
This spread, also called Silan, is so versatile! My family has used it on crackers, pancakes, and baked goods. This natural syrup is better for your family than many other things. It has just one ingredient – dates!
A recipe for Silan Oat Crushed Cookies is included with this date syrup. It looks great, but my family has yet to try it. When we do, I’ll update this post with our cookie review!
The Hineni Journal
Added to this box for premium subscribers is a unique handmade book with lined pages for writing and blank pages. The cover’s raw edges and outline of Israel distinguish this journal from other similar notebooks. The journal has Bible verses, Hebrew prayers (in English and Hebrew!), etc., to encourage and guide your thoughts.
On the cover is the word Hineni הנני. This Hebrew word for “Here I am,” used by Abraham and Moses in the Bible, is meaningful to us as we walk our faith and answer the call of what God requires.
Puzzle of the Four Cities
We’ve enjoyed the games in other Artza boxes, so we were excited to see another included! This puzzle is suitable for competing between two players (perfect for my competitive boys!) or challenging your problem-solving skills.
The quality of the blocks in this puzzle is outstanding. The four cities included, which are the four that played the most significant roles in Jesus’s life, are Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Galilee, with a different picture to represent each.
Vazu Flower Vase
I usually have fresh flowers somewhere in my home, so I use many types of vases, but this one is the most unique of all! What started as a creative student project for Chagai, its creator, developed into an extraordinary and useful item!
The vase arrives flat but will stand on its own, holding water and flowers when filled with water! And when it’s not in use, it’s profoundly easy to store!
Artza Postcards
Each Artza box includes postcards featuring an area of the Holy Land. The ones in this box spotlight Jerusalem blanketed in a rare snowfall and the modern city of Bethlehem.
Would you like to order an Artza box for yourself or a loved one? Remember that each order brings valuable items from the Holy Land to your home and also supports local artisans in the Holy Land and meaningful charities! Get a 20% discount on your first order with my coupon code: HEBREW20
This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.
With everything going on over there, this is a perfect time to support and experience Israel through Artzaboxes. Please pray for them if you are not already because the Bible tells us to in Psalm 122:6, and they desperately need His intervention!
Artzaboxes are subscription boxes mailed to your door featuring unique items from the Holy Land. Each box includes food items, self-care items, games, decorative items, etc., from artisans around the area. The items are different in each box, making receiving each an exciting experience! Read about the other Artza boxes I’ve reviewed here.
A different region or theme is featured in each quarter’s box. The most recent is the Seven Species box. From Deuteronomy 8:8, the Seven Species are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and honey. Each of these seven species adds inspiration for the items in this quarter’s box.
Each box includes information about the artisans who made the items in the box. Reading the stories of their families and businesses brings even more of a connection with the people of the Holy Land!
Premium Item – Framed Seven Species Artwork
With the Artza Premium subscription, a premium item is included in each box. The premium item in this box is a framed, hand-made piece of artwork featuring the seven species and, in Hebrew, the words “land flowing with milk and honey” (ארץ זבת חלב ודבש, pronounced eh-rets za-vaht cha-lahv ood-vash). What a gorgeous reminder of the blessing God has bestowed on the land of Israel!
Wheat – חיטה (pronounced chee-tah)
The Schnitzel Spice Mix represents the wheat. This mix accompanies the included recipe for Crispy Chicken Schnitzel, a typical meal in Israel. On the top of the container is the verse: “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” Psalm 81:16.
This mix is spicy, but in a flavorful way, not jalapeño spicy. I’m looking forward to making the Chicken Schnitzel recipe, and I’ll add an update when I do!
Israeli farmers create this spice blend at Derech HaTavlinim Herb & Spice Farm. This company has made spice mixtures for many Artza boxes I have received, and they’re always unique and tasty cooking additions.
Barley – שעורה (pronounced seh-oh-rah)
Barley and wheat are both represented in the Lavender & Rose Gentle Cleansing Face Mousse. This luxurious and soothing mixture smells incredible and feels great on your skin!
This light and pleasantly scented Mousse was created by Shlomit Cohen, the founder of the “Gift of Nature” company in Bat Ayin in Israel. She sees it as her mission to teach people how to be healed naturally as well as to use the riches of nature.
Grapes are found on the Seven Species Bamboo serving tray included in this Artzabox. Created by Yair Emanuel, a well-known artist whose creations are a regular addition to Artzaboxes, this serving tray is perfect for serving a light appetizer or even to serve the olives included in this box (more on these later).
Fig – תאנה (teh-eh-nah)
This item is my favorite in this quarter’s box! The unique Fig Leaf Candle represents the fig. Made from beeswax and molded from local fig bark, this beautiful candle will be an excellent addition to any room, as well as a conversation piece!
Pomegranate – רימון (pronounced ree-mon)
The pomegranate is featured on the gorgeous trivet from Hadarya Artwork. This well-made glass trivet features pomegranates and designs in various blue colors and would be an attractive addition to any table!
Pomegranates are meaningful in the Bible, as well as in the land of Israel. They even graced the priests’ robes in the Temple as part of God’s design!
Also included in this box is a postcard featuring a beautiful image of pomegranates. On the reverse side, there’s an explanation of the holiday of Tu B’shvat, including why it’s also called the “New Year for Trees.”
Olive – זית (pronounced zay-eet)
I love olives, but living in the US, I usually get mine from a can. There are few fresh olives here! I really appreciated the experience of the fresh Zaatar olives included in this box. These olives were made by Sidyanna of Galilee, a unique company that aims to unite Arab, Christian, and Jewish women as they create delicious olives and their products. Their Extra Hopeful Olive Oil was featured in another Artza Box I received, the Galilee Box, and it was fantastic.
Honey – דבש (pronounced da-vash)
As I explained in my review of the Judean Desert box, the “honey” often referred to in the Bible is thought to be date honey. Delicious date honey was included in the Judean Desert box. In this box, there’s a jar of date spread, which reminds me of the date honey, maybe because date honey is an ingredient in this spread.
This date spread is sweet and sticky, and my kids loved dipping their challah bread into it! It’s versatile – we’ve tried it on pancakes and crackers so far as well and have found it goes great with many things!
Would you like to order an Artzabox for yourself or as a gift? Here’s a coupon code for 20% off of your first order: HEBREW20
This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.
Many Christians are getting back to their roots. But not in the way you think. Judaism is Biblically at the root of Christianity (Heb. 11:1-24), yet only some Christians are familiar with Jewish culture. Understanding or even practicing Jewish feasts and festivals brings rich meaning to the Christian faith. Most Christians believe in the authority of the Old Testament but reject Jewish culture because they either don’t understand it or don’t want to compromise their identity as those who recognize the Messiah versus the Jews who don’t. Because of this, a vast divide has formed between the two groups. As Christians, we attempt to emulate Jesus – except for the Jewish parts. Was Jesus celebrating Passover (Matt. 26:17-30), attending a synagogue (Luke 4:16), and other Jewish behaviors because he just happened to be Jewish, or does that have something to do with our faith as Christians? Over the years, some Christians have realized that the two faiths weren’t meant to diverge so drastically. They take Jesus literally when he says he fulfilled the Torah (or Law – Matthew 5:17) but didn’t abolish it. So, what does that look like in a modern Christian home? In short, it’s different for everyone.
It’s not Messianic Judaism
The Hebrew Roots Movement isn’t an organized religion but a path for individuals to grow and explore their faith. Most of its “members” are Christians who recognize their need for Jesus as their savior from their sins but desire to enrich their faith by incorporating biblical Jewish customs. Although these Gentile Christians may worship alongside Messianic Jews in some cases, the Hebrew Roots Movement differs from Messianic Judaism in that its constituents are not Jewish and they vary in the amount of Jewish traditions they observe. When a person of Jewish heritage recognizes Jesus as their Messiah, they are referred to as Messianic Jews. Gentiles are non-Jewish and stay non-Jews even when they embrace Jewish customs.
It’s not one doctrine
The primary source of doctrine in the Hebrew Roots Movement is simply the Bible itself – both the Old and New Testaments. Some in the Movement incorporate rabbinical teachings, and some do not. Some follow Kosher dietary laws, honor the New Moon Festivals, and keep their heads covered, while others do not. Some follow all Christian traditions but also incorporate the three annual festivals commanded in Deuteronomy 16:16. It is practiced differently in every Hebraic family I know, but they all have one thing in common: They seek to mature their faith and pass it on to others by illuminating the Gospel and the God of the Bible through the practice of Jewish customs.
“Legalism” is the main argument I hear from Christians against the Hebrew Roots Movement. Its Christian critics fear that embracing the commands of the Torah conflicts with the doctrine of salvation by grace. While “Hebrew Roots” is presented in many ways, I have yet to meet a constituent who believes that salvation occurs from keeping the Torah. They fully embrace salvation through Jesus as the sacrifice worthy of payment for our sins. Since we cannot earn our salvation because of our sin, we embrace Jesus, who kept the Torah to the letter, as our only way to approach a Holy God. Following the laws of the Torah results from devotion to and love for our God and Messiah. Out of gratitude for our salvation, we “work out” that salvation (Phil. 2:12-13) as we mature in our faith, to become more and more like Jesus and closer to God daily.
What it is
Again, there is more than one way to practice Hebraic Christianity. It’s a type of grassroots movement to follow Jesus and practice our Christian faith by returning to the Jewish roots of that faith. Incorporating Jewish customs and learning the Hebrew language increases our understanding of Biblical Jewish culture, which differs significantly from our own. When reading Scripture written by predominantly Jewish people about primarily Jewish people (including our Jewish Messiah), a lack of understanding of Jewish language and culture can create confusion. Many are drawn to the Movement because it brings clarity to their biblical studies, leading to an increase in knowledge of our God and our Messiah.
Some have arrived at the Movement as a solution to the problem of passing their faith on to the next generation. As Christians, we strive to find ways to teach and demonstrate biblical concepts to the next generation. Practicing Jewish traditions is often a simple and natural way to do this. The use of symbols and celebrations helps concrete biblical messages to children and adults.
Many Hebraic Christians merely want to be as authentic as possible in the practice of their faith. For example, most Christians would say that Christians are responsible for adhering to the fourth commandment (Keeping the Sabbath), but many don’t do that or even know how. The Hebraic Christian is bothered by inconsistencies such as this one and seeks to resolve it in their life. Jewish customs resolve many of these inconsistencies because of their history of strict devotion to the Torah. As Christians, we also have the New Testament, which sheds light on the Old Testament through prophecy fulfillment, the ushering in of the New Covenant, and the life of Jesus and the apostles.
Here’s a brief yet thorough video generally explaining the Hebrew Roots Movement. There are many different ways Christians can express this side of their faith, but most in the Movement agree on the basics at the very least.
Despite many misconceptions surrounding the Movement, more and more mature Christians seeking authenticity in their faith are going down this path. The number of Hebraic congregations and resources has exploded in recent years. The outcome is spiritual growth for both those inside the Movement and those researching it due to their skepticism.
