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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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: Is the Messiah a central part of your service and beliefs?
Q: Why is this synagogue different from all other “Messianic synagogues”?
Q: What are your learning opportunities?
Q: How much Hebrew is in your services?
Q: I’ve never been to a service that uses the siddur (Jewish prayer book), can you give me a brief explanation?
Q: I have great difficulty following the service even with the transliterated Siddur. What can I do?
Q: Do you have worship music in your service?
Q: Does your synagogue keep Kosher?
Q: What about education for my children?
Q: What are the greetings people keep saying to me?
Q: I’m not Jewish, how does that affect me in your congregation?
Q: What are the requirements for membership?
Q: What is your organizational structure?
Q: How can I learn more?
Q: Is the Messiah a central part of your service and beliefs?
A: Belief in Yeshua as the Messiah is our distinctive element. We find that the traditional Siddur is full of Messianic references and that the Torah and the Messiah are “intertwined”. We include a weekly reading from the Torat Shlichim (literally “Instructions of Apostles” or Apostolics Writings, better known to the world at large as the “New Testament”) along with blessings and a prayer for the glory of Messiah Yeshua.
Q: Why is this synagogue different from all other “Messianic synagogues”?
A: We have modeled our Shabbat morning service after the “traditional” synagogue model. We also incorporate elements from other branches of Judaism, such as Jewish Renewal music in the afternoons. As some have said, we believe Messianic Judaism should be “Judaism” as genus and Messianic as species. We strive to reflect an authentically Jewish atmosphere, while emphasizing our Messianic distinctive. We are currently in the processing of building relationships with other like-minded synagogues.
Q: What are your learning opportunities?
A: The model of a Saturday morning service does not include a typical sermon. However, it is typical for the Rabbi or a congregation member gives a short “drash” or teaching on the weekly Torah passage. During the afternoon, we offer in-depth study on the weekly parasha (Torah portion) and Maaseh Shlichim (Acts of the Apostles, for the year 5764). At times we also study and discuss other topics such as Israel, Prophesy and Pirke Avot. We also periodically host guest speakers from out of town to give public seminars on various topics.
Q: How much Hebrew is in your services?
A: Our service is modeled after a traditional synagogue, with about 80% in Hebrew, and 20% in English. We offer numerous and frequent Hebrew classes so that our “regulars” will understand the entire service. By learning Hebrew and the basic structure of the service, you can go to any synagogue in the world and know what is going on.
Q: I’ve never been to a service that uses the siddur (Jewish prayer book), can you give me a brief explanation?
A: The service can be understood as having three distinct components:
1) Preliminary Prayers
2) Shacharit (Shema and Amidah)
3) Torah Service
The service has two primary functions, prayer and the public reading of scripture. The central prayer in the service is the Amidah (also called the Shmoneh Esreh because of its original 18 prayers). This prayer is silent. If a minyan (10 men) is present, then this prayer is repeated publicly, representing corporate prayer in addition to the individual prayer.
For 1500 years, synagogues have followed an annual reading cycle that covers the 5 books of Moses in a year’s time. Jews around the globe study the same Torah passage during the week, then read it publicly on Saturday. The drash that follows the Torah reading usually focuses on this portion of scripture.
It is also traditional to read a passage from the prophets (the Haftarah). In addition, we have added a passage from the Torat Shlichim because of our commitment to the Messiah Yeshua.
Q: I have great difficulty following the service even with the transliterated Siddur. What can I do?
A: We recommend focusing on the English translation in order to understand the prayers and connect with G-d in whatever language you are most comfortable with. We also offer a variety of Hebrew classes and Siddur classes as needed. Our goal is to raise a high standard of Hebrew literacy. If each generation does not learn Hebrew and pass the language on to its children, the language would be diluted, and our people would not know it.
Q: Do you have worship music in your service?
A: Our service is filled with liturgical acapella worship and we sing many songs after lunch. The first is called “Grace After Meals”. Deut. 8:6 states, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the L-rd your G-d.” Thus, “Kiddush” is said before the meal and prayers of thanks are said after the meal. After that, we sing “Zimrot” (other traditional songs, many of which speak of the beauty of the Shabbat and Messiah). During this time we also sing Jewish and Messianic songs accompanied by acoustic guitar and some percussion instruments.
Q. Does your synagogue keep Kosher?
A. We have a dairy (non-meat) potluck lunch on Saturday, and we strongly encourage everyone to bring food they have cooked or prepared food that has a heckscher on it. We recommend but do not require that cheeses have a heckscher (following the less strict Conservative halachah).
Q. What about education for my children?
A. We currently have several adaptable programs for children. We currently have two or three families regularly attending with small children and are looking for families to help this part of the shul grow. We plan on developing formal nursery space in the near future. We have learning opportunities for children between 3 to 10, and we have a Bar Mitzvah preparation program for young people ages 10-13. Teenagers are encouraged to participate fully in our services and adult Hebrew classes and education.
Q: What are the greetings people keep saying to me?
A: On a normal Saturday, you are likely to hear “Good Shabbos” (used by Ashkenazi Jews of European descent) or “Shabat Shalom” (used by Sephardic Jews of Spanish descent). When a man is called up for an honor, men often congratulate him by shaking his hand and saying “Yasher Koach”, meaning “may you be strengthened”. During a holiday, someone might great you “Chag Sameach” (Hebrew for “Happy Holiday”) or “Gut Yom Tov” (Yiddish for “Good Days”).
Q: I’m not Jewish, how does that affect me in your congregation?
A: Many of our members and regular attendees are not of Jewish descent, we just ask that you have a Jewish heart. Unlike most traditional synagogues, we do count non-Jewish men towards a minyan, and if they know the appropriate blessings and procedures, we allow them to have honors (such as Aliyahs, dressing the Torah, etc.) All men are asked to wear a Kipa (Yarmulka) while in the synagogue. Talit is optional except for the Aliyah (when a man is called up to read at the bima [platform] for a Torah reading or other honor). Don’t worry; we don’t put any guests “on the spot”.
Q: What are the requirements for membership?
A: We ask that each candidate for membership read a few articles, fill out an application form and meet with one of our board members. We have informal membership classes on a periodic basis as needed.
Q: What is your organizational structure?
A: We are organized democratically with an elected board of directors. A copy of our constitution is available on request. We also have a “Core Values” statement, which you can pick up in the synagogue or view on our website.
Click here for our Core Values Statement.
Q: How can I learn more?
A: Visit and talk with the members. Attend our services, classes or studies and fellowship in the afternoon. Click on the links at the left of this page.
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#1 |
on August 11 2010 20:18:49
#2 |
on August 13 2010 17:18:20
#3 |
on August 13 2010 18:17:59
#4 |
on August 13 2010 19:13:54
#5 |
on August 13 2010 20:28:11
#6 |
on August 13 2010 22:37:19
#7 |
on August 14 2010 00:34:15
#8 |
on August 14 2010 00:49:16
#9 |
on August 14 2010 04:16:39
#10 |
on August 14 2010 06:20:10
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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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