For it is not yours by inheritance. One cannot attain scholarship on the merit of his father's studies; everyone must acquire knowledge by personal effort.'
Rabbi Eliezer (Pirke Avot)
Do not seek greatness for yourself and do not covet honor; let your practice exceed your learning.'
Anonymous (Pirke Avot)
'Do not look at the jar, but what is in it; there may be a new vessel filled with mature wine and an old vessel that does not even contain new wine.'
Rabbi Meir (Pirke Avot)
'Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.'
Yeshua (Jesus) (Matthew 9:17)
'The day is short, the task is great, the workers are sluggish and the wages are high and the Master of the house is pressing.'
Rabbi Tarfon (Pirke Avot)
'Do not say, when I have leisure I shall study, for you may never be free.'
Hillel (Pirke Avot)
'I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.'
Yeshua (Jesus) (Matthew 5:18-20)
'Make your study of Torah a regular habit, say little and do much, and receive everyone with a cheerful smile.'
Shammai (Pirke Avot)
'Do not separate yourself from the community.'
Hillel (Pirke Avot)
'Do not forsake attendance at synagogue (as some do), but exhort one another; and even more as you see the Day approaching.'
(Hebrews 10.25)
'Be among the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them nearer to Torah.'
'If I am not for myself, who will be for me? and if I am for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?'
Hillel (Pirke Avot)
'It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.'
(Acts 15:19-21)
'All my life I was raised among the Sages and I have found nothing better than silence; it is not the study (of Torah) but its practice that is the essence, and whoever talks excessively causes sin.'
Simon the son of Rabban Gamaliel (Pirke Avot)
'Do not long for the table of kings, for your table is greater than theirs, and your crown is greater than their crown, and your Employer is faithful and shall pay you the reward of your work.'
Anonymous (Pirke Avot)
'You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to avoid it'
Rabbi Tarfon (Pirke Avot)
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Future of Messianic Judaism |
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The Future of Messianic Judaism
How Does Congregation Simchat Torah reflect the future of Messianic Judaism? In several ways. Judaism is an evolving religious civilization integrating ever-new elements of Jewish experiences through the centuries. Yet Judaism also maintains its commitment to the past by realizing that its future is only as solid as its understanding of history. Congregation Simchat Torah is dedicated these ideas.
There is also another reason. MOSHIACH! Our distinctive at Simchat Torah lies in our commitment to Yeshua of Nazareth as the Moshiach of Judaism. What better way to model Judaism than by its greatest Rabbi and Messiah?
Guiding Principles
1. Embracing the Messiah
Our community centers on cultivating a synagogue that is dedicated to reflecting the character of Yeshua of Nazareth. Such a core belief and perspective, we hold, affirms and recognizes our Master and Rabbi, Yeshua in his proper context as an observant Jew who passionately observed the instruction of the Torah. Thus as a synagogue, we are committed to the integrity of the greater Jewish community by our commitment to Jewish identity and thought as exemplified by our Messiah, Yeshua.
2. Embracing Tradition
Jewish tradition must remain unbroken within our circles, stemming from the rooted historical experiences and values of Jewry throughout the ages. Because of this we continually reaffirm our commitment to the successful transmission of our heritage, faith, and love for g-d and fellow man and to future generations as demonstrated by the earliest followers of Rabbi Yeshua.
3. Embracing Community
As a traditionally minded Jewish community, we are dedicated to the concept of klal Yisrael, the unfractured totality of Jewish existence and life, and strongly affirm the idea of chaverim kol yisrael (i.e. that all Israel is still joined in fellowship despite dispersion and dichotomies).
4. Embracing Education
Education is at the heart of Jewish identity. Simchat Torah emphasizes education for all levels and backgrounds. Our community is dedicated to scholarship and learning.
Come join the future of Messianic Judaism Now! |
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What we offer is a very traditional service similar to what any Conservative or Traditional Synagogue would offer. We use the traditional ArtScroll Sidur and do at least the minimum required prayers for Shabbat (except for the Musaf). We have a shorten Torah service when a minyan of 10 men are present, and we have Oneg followed by Shir HaMalot (Grace after Meals). Our 'drashes' (teachings) in the morning are usually less than 15 minutes. [We have extended Torah study in the afternoon for those that want to stay. We use the Artscroll Chumash and commentary. ]
We believe in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, and we add a few prayers related to his messiahship.
But we also offer a comfortable environment for mixed marriages and we will help you catch up on any Hebrew you may have forgotten.
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Are you looking for a closer walk with God? Are you tired of the baby food being fed to you at local churches? Maybe you are ready to move from milk to solid food.
Hebrews 5:13-14 'Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature...'
At Simchat Torah, we promise to give you meat. We will raise questions you probably never thought about. We will teach you Hebrew and the beautiful traditions of the Hebrew Sidur, much of which was set out by the scribe Ezra. We will teach you to understand the Bible with 'Jewish eyes'.
After lunch each Saturday, we have extended Torah study in the afternoon for those that want to stay. We use the Artscroll Chumash and commentary.
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