We have a Morning Prayer Service (Shacharit) on the 2nd and 4th Shabbat of each month using the Complete Artscroll Siddur (Ashkenazi). The service is led in English, with Hebrew highlights. The Morning Prayer Service (Shacharit) is followed by a Torah reading service, if we have ten men (minyan) present, and then a time of discussion of the weekly Torah Portion.
“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the L-rd honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the L-rd, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the L-rd has spoken.”
Isaiah 58:13-14 ESV
Men cover their heads and take the opportunity to use a tallit, if available, to keep the commandment of wearing tzitzit on the corner of the garment. Married women usually follow the Orthodox tradition of wearing a head-covering during prayer. We dress with modesty and respect for the King of the Universe.
An assembly of believers in Messiah Yeshua who gather to worship G-d through liturgical prayer, song, and Scripture.
Yeshua is the promised Messiah to Israel.
All of G-d’s commandments continue to be incumbent upon His followers.
The Biblical Scripture is inspired by G-d, being absolutely inerrant in the original languages, and are the only infallible source of truth.
Given a choice between identifying with historic Christianity or historic Judaism, we tend to identify with historic Judaism. Our faith-walk reflects that identification.
The second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles closes with an encouraging faith-walk description:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and THE PRAYERS. (Acts 2:42 ESV)
This definitive reference to “the prayers” supports our practice of historical, liturgical prayer. It is our hope that those who attend services with us will have the opportunity, through community, to practice devotion to the Apostle’s teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and the prayers.
Torah
Literally, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Figuratively, the whole of Scripture. Used frequently as the writings of Moses.
TaNaKh
An acronym for Torah, Nevi’im and Khetuvim (Torah, Prophets and Writings). Many believers refer to this as the old testament. This is the Bible which Yeshua and all the Apostles had.
Apostolic Writings
The books penned by the Apostles of Yeshua. Many believers refer to this as the new testament. According to the Torah, any revelations or writings must be consistent with the Torah.
Yarmulka
It is the beanie observant Jews wear to remind them of G-d’s sovereignty. It comes from the Aramaic, yarei Malka, which means fear of the King. Also referred to as a Kippah (covering).
Midrash
Hebrew meaning to search out. Teaching on a Scripture passage.
Shacharit
One of two required times of sacrifice and prayer. This one is in the morning at 9am. (Lev 1-5)
Minchah
One of two required times of sacrifice and prayer. This one is in the afternoon at 3pm. (Lev 1-5)
Tallit
A prayer shawl worn as a vehicle to fulfill the commandment to wear tzitzit on the corners of one’s garment. (Num 6)
Tzitzit
Fringes on the corners of a garment commanded by G-d to remind believers of His commandments. (Num 6)
Oneg
Hebrew for delight. It is used several times in Isaiah 58 to describe a believer’s attitude toward the Sabbath. It is also the name of the fellowship meal after a Sabbath service.
Shabbat
Hebrew for Sabbath as in the weekly Sabbath defined in the fourth commandment. (Exo 31)
Parashah (or Parsha)
Short for Parashat ha-Shavuah, Hebrew for weekly portion. This is one of the 54 sections of the Torah which can be identified by the spaces or gaps in a Torah scroll. Each one is named by either the first unique word or words in the Hebrew text. Dating roughly from the time of the Babylonian captivity (6 BCE), public Torah reading mostly follows an annual cycle ending on Simchat Torah.
We have more of an emphasis on liturgical prayer, using a synagogue model rather than a church model for our services.
Absolutely.
Each family is free to choose their own “halachah,” but as a congregation we do see value in the oral laws.
The “best hits of the Bible.” Scripture passages, ancient poems, and historical prayers, all designed to glorify God.
It’s not necessary, but if you’d like to let us know you’ll be visiting, you can email thechavurah@gmail.com.
We meet twice a month, on the second and fourth Shabbat. We typically take the month of July off, as well as the fourth Shabbat in November.
We meet at.
If you’re new to our services, just bring a Bible and come experience a Shabbat service! If you’re familiar with liturgical prayer, please bring your siddur, chumash, plus a kippah and tallit (for men).
We use the Artscroll Ashkenazi siddur. If this is not the type you have, you’re welcome to borrow one for use during the service.
We love having our kids with us and hearing their voices raised in praise to God during the songs and prayers of our service. We also have a kids Torah Portion time. During the adult Torah Portion discussion the kids get to color pictures from the Torah Portion and have a small snack. Little babies can play with toys on the rug in front of their parents.
Yes, although we are not a 501(c)(3) organization. We prefer paper products or other tangibles that can be used to minister to the body of Messiah.
You can direct further questions to thechavurah@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!