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Messianic: What Does That Mean?
Within Judaism, a Messianic is one who believes in the coming of Messiah. Within Cristianity, a Messianic is one who believes Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah. In contemporary useage, the term also refers to one who follows a "Biblical" lifestyle, including incorporating many of the worship and celebration practices of Biblical Judaism into his/her life. Within the Messianic Movement the terms may refer to either a Jewish or a Gentile Believer in Yeshua.
Are Messianics Jews or Christians?
Many people outside of Messianic circles have asked are Messianics really Jews or if they are really Christians. The answer is YES! Messianics are Jews and converts to Messianic Judaism. We must remember that for the first 200 plus years after the death and resurrection of the Messiah that the "First Believers" were Messianic Jews or converts to Judaism who were Torah observant and Messiah following.
It should also be understood that all forms of Judaism have an open door to those who are wishing to be part of the various branches of Judaism. These people are called Jews by conversion, and in this Messianics reflect normative Jewish practices.
Though Messianics share some of the same theology as Christians about the Messiah, our practies, lifestyle and identity are based in Judaism.
Acts 21:19-20 - Paul greeted them and reported in detail what G-d had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised G-d. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brohter, how many thousands of Jews have belived, and all of them are zealous for the Torah.
Romans 11:17-20 - If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root. Do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. (NIV)
Why, if its Judaism, are there gentiles?
From the very beginning, there have always been Gentiles numbered with the Jews, starting with Abraham when he was commanded to circumcise hid household. His household included not only the natural born, but also those who were acquired from foreigners.
Genesis 17:11-14 - "You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner -- those who are not your offspring. Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." (NIV)
Even at the Passover there were Gentiles who could participate. Not just any Gentiles, but only those who had joined themselves to believing Israel, and bore the sign of the covenant in their bodies.
Exodus 12:48-49 - "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the L-rd's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. The same law applies to the native-born and the the alien living among you." (NIV)
When Moses left Egypt, there were a large number of Gentiles who participated in the Exodus because they had joined themselves to the Jewish people. Because of this, the Torah repeatedly declared that there is only one law for the native born and for the Gentile.
Leviticus 18:26 - "But you must keep my decrees and laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things." (NIV)
In the Magor and the Minor prophets, we see G-ds calling out to the "Nations" to come to him. In fact, every Epistle of the BritHaDashah is written to a congregation outside of Israel, and all of them are mixed congregations of both Jews and Gentiles. In Mark Nanos' commentary on the book of Romans, he declares that the congregations in Rome were 20% Jewish and 80% Gentile. This appears to have been the normal congregational break-down outside of Israel.
The last and probably the most powerful statement affirming the presence of Gentiles among Jews is found in the book of Zechariah, where the L-rd Himself declares that people from all the "Nations" will be gathered unto himself. The word "Nations" is Goyim, which always refers to the Gentiles.
Zechariah 2:10-12 - "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you." declards the L-RD. "Many nations will be joined with the L-RD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the L-RD Almighty has sent me to you." (NIV)
Zechriah 8:20-23 - "This is what the L-RD Almight says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the L-RD and seek the L-RD Almighty. I myself am going.' And mnay peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the L-RD Almighty and to entreat him."
This is what the L-RD Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, 'Let us go with you, because we have heard that G-D is with you."
Why keep Jewish traditions?
Anyone who has seen “Fiddler on the Roof” realizes that, to the Jew, “tradition” is a serious subject. However, the term tradition, in reference to any sect of Judaism, is often misunderstood by the outsider. The term does not mean a quaint custom, as it might in other groups. To the Jew, tradition may be defined in two ways.
The first way of defining a tradition is as a “Mitsvah”, or a commandment of the scriptures. Examples of such mitzvahs are keeping the Passover, or keeping the Feast of Trumpets and so on. These “traditions” are far more than just customs, they are acts of obedience.
The second definition for “tradition” or “Halacha” as it is called, are the specifically expressed means and guides by which the scriptural commandments are to be carried out. For example, it is tradition that tells us how to place the Mezuzah on our door post, or shows us how to keep the commandment concerning the binding of commandments upon the head and hand, as found in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter six.
Deuteronomy 6:5-10 - Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)
Without these historical traditions, we would have no concept of how to carry out many of the Biblical mandates in an historically correct manner. Tradition and its history guides us in our Biblical expression in keeping G-d’s commandments. However, tradition carries with it both value and danger. The value of traditions becomes evident when we are given clear historical insight to the scriptures, as well as the culture of our people. The danger comes when we allow tradition to become more than it should, when it becomes a form of legalism that enslaves rather than clarifies.
Mark 7:8-9 - You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. "And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (NIV)
The best rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Does this or that tradition help me to understand, or to carry out any of the Biblical mandates? Does it assist in drawing closer to the will of G-d.?”
So how Jewish should I be or can I be?
The Bible tells us that there have always been Gentiles numbered among the believing Jewish community. Beginning with Abraham, through Moses and throughout the New Testament, we see Gentiles choosing to live among, and worship with, Jews. Even Caleb who went with Joshua into the promised land came from among the Gentiles, for his father was a Kenizzite and not a Jew. (Joshua 14:13).
The answer to the question of “Just how Jewish should a Gentile Be?” is, as Jewish as they are willing to be. In the first century, Gentiles who lived among Jews were divided into three categories. The first, and most numerous were the “Goyim”. The word itself means “nations” and is most often used to indicate the pagan Gentile world.
The other two groups of Gentiles include those who entered into a recognized, formal relationship with the Jewish community. The scripture gives us a widow of insight to this relationship in Acts chapter 15. In that chapter, believers were directed to live voluntarily under what is called the Noahide Laws. The Noahide Laws in the book of Acts were the rules laid down by the Apostles that governed the actions of “Righteous Gentiles” (ger-tzedeq) and “Resident Gentiles” (ger-toshab) who wished to live with and among the Jews. These Noahide laws were considered to be the first steps for a new Gentile believer in Messiah (as well traditional Judaism), who would identify with the Messianic community and with its theology. The “Gerim-tzedeqim” (many ger-tzedeq) would where also called "God-Fearers". The Noahide Laws set these Gentile believers apart from the rest of the pagan world. Their name rG@"Ger"- (alien among you)! qyDx^"tzedeq" (righteous), was not given lightly, as the new believers had to show an abandonment of their pagan lifestyle. God-Fearers were Gentiles who worshipped the God of Israel, studied the Torah, paid tithes and would at some time become the proselytes to the Jewish faith. One such noted "God-Fearer" was Cornelius, who is identified in the book of Acts, Chapter ten. Cornelius’ claim to fame is that he was the first Gentile Messianic believer.
These Gentiles believers were grafted into the existing system of faith and its body of believers. That is why, as we study the New Testament and early history, we see that there was only one body of believers.. As proselytes, these believers and their families would no longer be considered to be "Gentiles", but (Messianic) Jews. Proselytes such as these shared in the promises of G-d, including an inheritance in the land of Israel.
Now with all of this it is only proper that I explain that becoming a Messianic believer is not just a change in ones personnel theology it also is a change in one identity. It was Ruth who said to Naomi: “Your people shall become my people, your God shall become my God.”
So the answer to the question of "how Jewish should I be or can I be?" is as simple as how Jewish you are willing to commit to. Shamash Ariel as a congregation has Jewish believers. Ger-Tzadeas and Ger-Toshab. All are welcome.
Why keep kosher or the Biblical dietary laws?
The Dietary Laws are often defined by one word, "KOSHER", (sometimes called Kashrut). These are the Laws found in the Torah that are concerned with the types of foods that are permissible to eat and the processes of how they are to be stored and how they are to be prepared. A study of the Biblical Dietary and Health Laws is very interesting because of the many modern-day health issues.
However, Kosher means a lot more than just not eating pork or shellfish, it is a true discipline for a healthily lifestyle. Kosher can be defined in two ways. The first is "Rabbinical", and the second is "Biblical". "Rabbinical" refers to keeping Kosher according to strict Orthodox Jewish teaching, found within the Talmud. This type of Kosher holds to the restrictions of the early Rabbis' teachings. Rabbinical Kosher requires that you take as much care in how you prepare foods as what you prepare. In Orthodox homes, meat and dairy items are never served at the same time, since such a meal would violate Talmudic teaching. Thus, the proper Rabbinical Kosher home requires two sets of pots and pans, as well as no less than four sets of dishes, seeing that the items used to hold meat may never be used for dairy.
What some referrers to as "Biblical Kosher" simply means to maintain a Biblical diet. This is far simpler though not excepted in most religious Jewish communities, as it is not in keeping with the Rabbi's teachings. "Biblical Kosher" is in keeping with the dietary Laws as found within the first five books of the Bible (Torah). These commandments include refraining from eating those things which are clearly forbidden and are called unclean (i.e. pork, shellfish, scavenger animals, etc.), and those which contain blood. The dietary Laws are kept by most forms of Judaism. "Biblical Kosher" strives to fulfill the mandates found in the Torah. As it is the Torah that defines what food is and what is not food. You maybe able to eat a piece of tree bark and even digest it, and pass it but that still does not make it food. If people were cars, then keeping Biblical Kosher could be seen as following the manufactures guidelines in order to maintain the machinery properly. Listed below is our congregations request concerning onegs (pot luck celebrations).
Kashrut/Kosher - The Rebbe and the Elders of Shammash Ariel have determined the standard of Kashrut to be kept officially by the congregation in its congregational environment. That standard is defined within the guidelines of the Biblical dietary laws outlined in Leviticus 11:1-47. The Rebbe and Elders recognize that Rabbinical Kosher is extrabiblical, and although it is the standard that is kept in many religious communities, it may not be possible in Pueblo, Colorado on a Congregational scale due to the basic lack of resources. Though the tradition of Rabbinical Kashrut exceeds the Biblical Dietary Laws, it does not violate any of the Biblical standards. In fact, it raises the standard. However, our primary concern as Elders is that in our congregational environment that we maintain and abides by the commandments and practices of Torah Observance.
Vegetarian/Vegan and the Storing of Food - In order to accommodate our members who are vegetarian/vegan or who do keep Rabbinical Kosher, there will be distinction in the storage and serving of meat foods and non-meat foods. Meats and non-meat foods are stored and served separately The Shammash Ariel Sisterhood has developed the following "coding" system to distinguish between meat and non-meat foods:
-- Meat foods (must be labeled) are stored on the bottom shelves of the refrigerator as marked , and are served in red containers or on red tablecloths.
-- Non-meat vegetarian or dairy foods (must be labeled) are stored on the top shelves of the refrigerator and are served in green containers or on green tablecloths.
-- Vegan foods (foods which contain NO animal products such as eggs, cheese or milk), (must be labeled) are served in white containers or on white table cloths. Please do not place vegan foods in the refrigerator in order to prevent confusion with vegetarian dishes which may contain animal products.
Drinks - NO RED DRINKS OF ANY KIND are permitted in the building as these pose a cleaning problem with the carpet. Kosher wine is the exception. Please no red Kool-Aid, no red tropical punch, no red sodas and no red teas.
What are the Rites of Passage ?
A rite of passage is a cultural mile-maker in the life of an individual which helps to define who he/she is in their society. Though we do not often use the term "rite of passage" in modern day American society, they still exist. Some examples of rites of passage in the American culture are listed below. With each of these, a change of life status takes place:
16..... drivers license,
18 .....graduation from high school,
18 .....voting privileges
65 .....retirement age
The idea of "Rites of Passage" also exists within all forms of Judaism. There are also rites of passage within messianic Judaism which help to define a person's place and status in the religious community. Though practices and traditions may vary from one group to the next, these rites of passage represent identity, responsibility and privileges. The Rites of Passage in our Messianic community that we practice are:
BRIT-MILAH (Bris) - Ritual circumcision of a Jewish child.
DEDICATION AND NAMING OF A CHILD - This is the first step in the child becoming identified with his/her religious heritage, as they are given a Hebrew name ceremonially. Many times children are named after a well-admired, departed relative. However, it is not traditionally acceptable to name a child after a living relative. For a male child, the Naming may be done in association with the Brit-Milah.
BAR AND BAT MITZVAH - This is the rite of passage declaring the readiness of a young man or young woman, usually at the age of thirteen, to take his/her place as a full member of the believing community. This event often includes the Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate's first public reading from the Torah (in Hebrew) and a declaration of faith. In the case of a young man, it is where he earns his right to wear the Tallit. and, in the future, to return to the Bima as an adult. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate declares the taking of responsibility for his/her own actions, good or bad, along with his or her readiness to support the local congregation.
MARRIAGE AND THE CHUPPA - To be married under the chuppa (canopy) is a declaration of more than just the keeping of Jewish traditions, it is a confession of one's willingness to maintain a Biblical lifestyle and to raise one's family in a Torah-observant home. Though traditions may vary, in reference to things like the ketubah, the breaking of the glass and the circling of the groom by the bride, Messianics maintain marriage as a rite of passage.
DEATH - One may ask, just how is death a rite of passage? It is not in the dying that there is a rite of passage (except to heaven of course), but in the care and the preparation of the body of the deceased. Many of the traditions that center around death, morning, and the funeral are typical of other sects of Judaism. Some Messianic congregations, as with other forms of Judaism, do not believe in or practice the embalming process. This type of preserving the body is thought to be a ritual form of Egyptology. There are a large number of other reasons for the prohibition of this practice, which would take a complete book to cover. In response to need, a growing number of Messianic congregations have formed, within their congregations, Jewish burial societies (Hevra Kadisha) which integrate Messianic belief and practice with that of more traditional Judaism.
Why aren’t offerings taken up in the service?
As a historical practice, Jews have not taken up an offering as part of their services for several reasons. The first is that even though the practice of tithing is a commandment (mitzvah), it must be performed in a truly voluntary fashion. Remember the case of the widow who put all her life’s savings into the Temple treasury (Mark 12:41). Because of this need for giving to be totally voluntary, a “Pushkah”, which is a “giving box”, is placed in the back of the sanctuary. It is expected that the congregational members will either place their tithes and offerings into the pushkah, or mail them to the synagogue office.
Secondly, and from a truly non-Biblical point of view, collecting offerings tends to break up the flow of the service. Thirdly, there are many from Orthodox and some conservative backgrounds who feel handling money on the Sabbath is related to buying and selling, which they see as forbidden work, and will have no part of it. For those who keep with the more stregent traditions they write there tithe check the night before place it in an envelope and on Shabbat place it in the Pushkah.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (NIV)
Why do Messianics dance as part of their service?
Dance within the context of worship is usually only permitted in some Ultra-Orthodox groups and in Messianic congregations. The Orthodox, however, usually dance only in home celebrations of the Sabbath or of a Biblical feast. Sometimes, as during Simchat Torah, congregational members will dance with the Torah in celebration and thanksgiving. In Israel, some groups gather together in the streets on their way to synagogue, to dance as a way of welcoming the Sabbath. But within the context of the Congregational service, only Messianics see dance as a expression of worship. It has, however, not always been that way. In the time of King David, and throughout the Temple period, dance was a common expression of worship by both men and women.
The Lubavitchers are an exception to the rule, as they have re-instituted music and dance in their worship services. They are also the originators of Klezmer music.
Should Gentiles keep Shabbat?
The question may also be asked, "So what about the Gentiles? Are they also required to keep the Sabbath or is that just a Jewish thing,?" The issue here is not, "Is the Sabbath Jewish?" But, "Is the Sabbath Biblical?" If the Bible is to be for all men, Jew and Gentile alike, then is the context and the content of the Bible for all men, Jew and Gentile alike? If the context of the Bible is for all men, then the Sabbath is for all men.
Exodus 12:49 - "The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien (Goyim) living among you." (NIV)
Isaiah 56:6-7 - "And foreigners (Goyim) who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant -- these i will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my alter, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." (NIV)
Why do we recite the Shema?
The "Shema" is thought by many to be the first step in learning the Torah for the believer because it defines the relationship of the believer with Lord God. and His people.
The Shema is the first prayer and the first scripture a Jewish/Messianic child learns. It is, by tradition, to be the first clear thought of each day and the last at night. It is recited at every service because of its unifying declaration.
It has been the practice of most sects of Judaism to face Jerusalem when praying as a remembrance of the Temple. The "Shema" is a prayer, therefore, some sects of Judaism in America face east (towards Jerusalem) when reciting it. There is also the idea of facing Jerusalem in hopes that one might see the "Maschiach" (Messiah) coming. Lastly and just as important, when the Torah keeper faces Israel/Jerusalem, he/she faces and remembers where home is.
Why touch the Torah as it passes?
Though the Torah itself is not touched directly, its covering is often touched as the Torah is carried among the people. In some congregations, even directly touching of the Torah cover is often avoided. In such congregations, one will use a tzitzit from a tallit or the corner of a woman's scarf or sometimes something else. The touching is often followed by one kissing the object that made contact with the Torah. This is not "Torah Worship", but an expression of love and respect for the Word of God.
Is the Kaddish a prayer for the dead?
The Kaddish is one of the most misunderstood prayers in Judaism, many believe it to be a prayer for the dead, when in fact death is not the subject of the prayer at all. Rather "Kaddish" means "Sanctification" and the function that it serves is to declare the Holiness and Sovereignty of G-d.
The significance of the Kaddish is that it manifests man's ability to express his faith in God while at the same time acknowledging crisis and difficulties or even tragedy. The reason for the "Kaddish" may best be summed up by a quote from Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Why do men wear prayer shawls?
The prayer shawl, also know as a "tallit" or "tallis", is thought to date back to the time of the giving of the Torah to Moses. The book of Numbers tells of the four corner garment and its four tassels (tzitzits) (Numbers 15:37-41)
In most Jewish Orthodox, Conservative and Reform congregations, as well as in some Messianic congregations, the tallit is commonly worn by males who have reached the age of 13 or older, and who have gone through the rite of passage referred to as a Bar Mitzvah (son of the commandments)
The tallit is a reminder symbol that represents the written word of God to those who wear it. When a man wears his tallit, he is, in essence, showing himself to be under the authority of the written word of God. The five knots in the tzitzits represent the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah. The striped pattern of the tallit, in time past, may had been used to communicate a person's genealogy in the same way the the plaid of a Scot's kilt represented his ancestry.
Some scholars have linked the wearing of the tallit to the Priestly garments that are named in scripture. Today in all branches of Judaism, including the Messianic, men still wear a Kippa and/or a tallit to signify their acceptance into the priesthood of believers. as found in the context of a "Kingdom of Priests."
Why are only men called for the Torah service?
With the loss of the first temple and the exile to Babylon, the Jews where forced to adapt their worship to their situation. It was from the Babylonian captivity that synagogue worship developed, centered around the Torah (the Word of God) rather than the sacrifices. By the time the second temple was built, synagogue worship had become deeply entrenched in
There are some modern day sects of Judaism (Reform and some Conservative) that do permit women to serve on the Bima alongside men. Some even permit women to become Rabbis. Though there is no scriptural basis for this, the practice of women as Rabbis is a new tradition that began in the early 1950's. Most Messianic congregations tend to side with the Orthodox concerning the role of women and the Bima.
When are tallits to be worn?
The tallit is worn by the general male populace for the morning and afternoon prayer service. It is also worn during the evening service, but only by those who are leading the service (the Cantor/Hazzen and the speaker). The only exception to the rule is that all men of the congregation wear a tallit on Tisha B'Av and on Yom Kippur services because these services start before the sun goes down. Some Messianic congregations also wear their tallits on the night of Passover because of the verse in Exodus where the Lord commands the wearing your cloak. Exodus 12:11 - "This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover." (NIV)
Why do the Messianic anoint the sick with oil?
James 5:14-16 - Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
Why do the women cover their heads?
In the Middle Eastern culture, from Biblical times to the present, it has been customary for women to appear in public only with their heads covered. The head covering is an overt indication of modesty. We know that in Bible times, covering one's head when in the presence of an authority figure was a sign of respect and humility.
Although most Conservative and Reform Jewish women do not cover their heads while worshipping, Orthodox women, even today keep their heads covered, not only when they are in a synagogue, but all the time that they are "in public".
Generally, modern Messianic women choose to wear a head-covering while in Shul for one or more of the following reasons:
-to manifest modesty in the Shul
-to show respect for the Torah and the Word of God
-to approach God in worship and prayer in an attitude of humility and respect.
One should not confuse the practice of women's head covering with the practice of men wearing Kippa and/or Tallit.
Why refer to Jesus as "Y'Shua"?
I once heard someone say that the reason Messianics call Jesus, Y’shua is that, that is what his mother named him. Since his mother was a good Jewish woman, she would not have given her son a Greek name. The name Jesus is a quasi Greek name that is a translation of the Hebrew name Y’shua, meaning “Salvation of our G-d..” In English, the closest equivalent name would be Joshua. Messianics therefore call Jesus by proper, Y’shua.
What is Kiddush? Is it like Communion?
When visitors come to a Jewish congregation, and observe the Kiddush service they often confuse it with the Christian Communion (the Lord's Supper). Though they may look very much alike it at first glance, they have different purposes and different elements.
The purpose of the Kiddush Service is to reflect the act of renewing oneself in the covenant of God and is performed weekly during the Sabbath. This renewal is visible in the leavened bread (which represents us) as it is dipped into the wine (which represents the covenant of God with His people). On the other hand, Communion, which was derived from the Passover, with unleavened bread celebrates the act of deliverance from bondage, as in the case of the Children of Israel from Egypt, or from sin, as in the Brit Chadashah.
Why is the blessing of the children part of the morning service?
The blessing of children on Erev Shabbat is a traditional practice of all the sects of Judaism. The blessing is normally carried out each week by the father at the Sabbath table. However, only Messianics have incorporated the traditional blessing for children into their Sabbath service. Though there are many reasons for this blessing being placed into the morning service, it is possible that the foremost is that so many homes have no father present to perform the blessing. In some Messianic congregations, the community of believers have taken up blessing the children, rather than not have them receive it. In many Messianic congregations a special over-sized Tallit or Chuppah has been used to create a suitable covering for the children during the blessing and prayer.
What makes the Sabbath special?
The word Sabbath means “to rest or to refrain from exertion.” The Sabbath is best defined in the fact that God had declared what types of things (work) may be done. The Bible also says that the Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) is Holy unto the Lord. The Biblical Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown Friday till sundown Saturday.
The sages of old tell us that one has kept the Sabbath when four things have been accomplished, when you have laughed, eaten well, when you have had good fellowship and when you have mentioned the name of the Lord.
Why is there a blowing of the rams horn (shofar)?
The shofar (or trumpet) is commanded in the book of Numbers to be used to call the children of Israel together. The shofar is a ram's horn, or the horn of another Kosher animal, that has been cured and drilled under the supervision of a authorized Rabbi.
In Messianic congregations, the shofar is used to call the congregation to worship, as well as heralding the Biblical Feast days. Today, as in times past, the different series of notes sounded with a Shofar can communicate everything from a "call to war" to "call to worship". Though there are many who can blow the shofar correctly, there are very few who can play it as an instrument.
Numbers 10:5-10 - "When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the same signal. The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies. Also at your times of rejoicing -- your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals -- you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God." (NIV)
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