What is a Shabbat Service?
08-02-2007 A Shabbat service can be formal or relaxed. In our home, it is usually pretty relaxed and intimate. In a synagogue, it is very formal and the rabbi and/or cantor lead the service. However, there are certain things you will always see in a Shabbat service. And it is quite easy to have Shabbat in your own home every week. Here's what you do...
1. The Father of the household reads Exodus 20:8 & 23:12, "You shall remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy...For six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor, that you...may rest and...be refreshed."
2. The Mother (because it was a woman, Mary, who brought Jesus into this world) lights the candles and says:
"'Yeshua (Jesus) spoke to His Disciples and said, "Whoever continues to follow me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light which gives life" (John 8:12). Seeking that "Light" for all of Israel, this night we light two symbolic candlesticks: One stands for creation and one for redemption; one stands for the Tanach (Old Covenant) and one for the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant); one stands for faith and one for holy deeds; one stands for the 'stick of Ephraim' and one for the 'stick of Judah'; one stands for the King and one for His servants; one stands for work and one for rest.
As we light these candles we pray, 'Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech ha'olam, asher natan lanu et Yeshua ha Mashiach, ha'or la'olam. Who tikvatanu oobeeshmo nikranu le'heyot or lagoyim. Amen. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who has given us Yeshua our Messiah, the Light of the world. He is our hope- in Him, we are called to be a light unto the nations. Amen"
[The Mother prays]
3. Blessing of the Bread (Hamotzi) Father reads/says:
"Yeshua said, 'I am the Bread that gives life, whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever puts their trust in Me will never be thirsty'" (John 6:35).
Baruch atah Adonai, Elphenu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha aretz, asher natan lanu lechem chaim b'Yeshua. Amen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who blesses us with bread, and gives us Yeshua, Who is the Bread of Life. Amen.
[All partake in breaking/eating of the Bread]
4. Father reads/says:
Yeshua cried out, "If anyone is thirsty let him come to Me continually and drink. Whoever continues to put his trust in Me, as the Tanach says, 'Out of his innermost being shall continuously flow rivers of living waters.'" (John 7:37-38)
Baruch atah Adonai, Elohenu Melech ha'olam, boreh p'ri hagaphen. Amen.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, the Creator of the fruit of the vine.
[All partake of the wine/grape juice]
5. Blessing of the Children:
Over the son(s), the Father prays:
Y'simchah Elohim k'Ephrayeem, v'keh Manasseh.
May God make you a symbol of blessing as He did Ephraim and Manasseh.
Over the daughter(s) the Father (or Mother) prays:
Y'simchah Elohim k'Sarah, Rivka, Rakhel v'Leah.
May God make you a symbol of blessing as He did Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
6. A Child recites Ephesians 6:1-3
7. Husband reads Proverbs 31:10-31 to his wife.
8. Wife reads Psalm 1 to her husband.
9. All sing the Sh'ma
Sh'm Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad. Baruch shem, k'vod malchuto, l'olam vah-ed. Amen.
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Blessed be His Name, His Kingdom is forever, and forevermore. Amen.
10. Father gives the Aaronic/priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-26):
Yevarech'cha Adonai v'yishmerecha.
Yeh'er Adonai panav elecha v'yechunecha.
Yissah Adonai panav elecha v'yasem lechah shalom.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace.
11. All say, "Shabbat Shalom!" (Sabbath Peace)
*************************************************************************************
Why Should a Christian Be Interested in Celebrating "Jewish" Holidays?
09-19-2007 What is a Gentile Christian family doing affixing mezuzot and celebrating Sukkot, or any of the traditional Jewish Holy Days for that matter? That is a very good question.
Unlike most of the traditional "Christian" holidays (which have their origins in paganism; for more info on this visit http://www.fossilizedcustoms.com/asherah.html), all of the traditional Jewish holidays (and the practice of placing mezuzahs) have their origins in the Bible or Apocrypha. Most of them were commanded by G-d in Leviticus. Our L-rd Y'shua celebrated the Jewish holidays when He was a man on earth. Lastly, none of the Jewish Feasts have been nearly as commercialized as the Christian holidays of Christmas, and recently, Easter.
Are those enough reasons for a Christian, especially a Gentile Christian, to celebrate these holidays? In one word --- no. Though most of the holidays are commanded by God to be celebrated, Christians are no longer under the law. Paul says, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the L-rd..." (Rom. 14:5-6a, NIV, emphasis added) It is clear that Christians, be they Gentile or Jew, are relieved from the requirements to celebrate the Biblical Feasts. Also, like even many "Christian" practices, the Jewish Feasts have changed greatly over the years. Sages have interpreted and reinterpreted the requirements to celebrating the holidays. Extra-biblical rules have been heaped upon rules, making it difficult to celebrate the holidays "properly." We are saved only by grace through faith, not by "earning Brownie points" by observing feasts and festivals or performing any other "good work." These in and of themselves are enough to cause any Believer to pause when considering celebrating. Another caution should be noted. When one decides to participate in some Jewish/Biblical practices, he needs to guard against pride, a pride that places himself over those who he considers "less spiritual" who do not celebrate.
So, what benefit is there to a Christian celebrating Sukkot, Passover, Hannukah, or any other feast? The only reason any Christian should consider celebrating would be because he feels lead of the L-rd to do so. If G-d says to celebrate, then you should do so. It sounds so simplistic, but is so true. Not only that, but Jesus celebrated all of the festivals commanded by G-d, and we are to follow in His footsteps in all we do. It was under this framework that our family began celebrating Shabbat, having Passover Seders, celebrating Purim, Sukkot and the other Biblically appointed festivals several years ago. The family began affixing mezuzot (mezuzahs) to our doorposts around the same time we started celebrating Passover.
The spiritual benefits of being lead to celebrate, and following through with that leading, can be phenomenal. Each holiday concentrates on one or more attributes and actions of G-d, allowing us to contemplate them in greater detail and depth than would normally be accomplished in a single day or week. Passover concentrates on our sinfulness and how it enslaves us. G-d freed us through the sacrifice of His Lamb. Sukkot concentrates on a handful of attributes --- G-d as provider and refuge, our anticipation of His coming kingdom, and the joy we have in being His children. These holidays require some preparation as well as time to stop and worship, praise, pray to, and contemplate the Almighty. Placing mezuzot on doorposts reminds us that G-d's word should be affixed to the doorpost our hearts (Deut. 6:9 says, "Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."). Great insight and spiritual growth must occur.
Once an individual or family decides to celebrate one or more of the Jewish holidays, the decision must be made as to how to go about doing it. Alas, this can be just as difficult as the decision to celebrate in the first place. Our family has decided to research extensively the holiday in question. Our primary source is the Bible. We also read books and web sites on the topic and pick and choose aspects that can be supported from the Bible or may have the potential for spiritual growth. Occasionally attending services at a Messianic Jewish congregation also helps us know and understand more about Jewish traditions. About various practices we ask --- "What does doing this mean for us as believers in Y'shua?" "Does the L-rd want us to do things this or some other way?" Inevitably the first year's celebration is much simplified. During the holiday, as insights are gained and spiritual growth happens, as well as discovering what works and what does not, changes are made for the next year. After a few years or so, we have found the ways that work best and only minor changes are made after that.
No one should worry about "getting it right" the first time. Just as our L-rd has lead you to celebrate (or not), He will also lead you in how to do it. It will be a growth process, one full of grace, awe, wonder, and power. It is truly amazing to see how G-d can work through the preparations as well as the actual holiday. What I have also found is that the first year's celebration, while usually the "weakest" by human standards, is the most powerful spiritually. It is like my Heavenly Father has said, "Yes! I have wanted you to do this for a while and I am so glad you are now doing it."
The purpose of my writing this, as well as the studies on the specific holidays, is to give the reader a glimpse of our family's spiritual journey concerning these holidays as well as serve as a guide to other Believers who may decide to celebrate the Feasts themselves.
To the glory of His holy Name now and forever!
(Source: http://beyond-infinity.freeyellow.com)
