Hebrew-is the original language of the Bible, heaven and what the angels speak! It is also been resurrected from the dead and is now spoken in Israel. We use lots of Hebrew in our service, prayers and songs.
Shabbat Shalom!- This is the proper greeting in Hebrew to say to each other on the Sabbath day. Shabbat means “rest” and Shalom, means “peace.” So you are wishing “restful peace” on each other.
Torah: The Torah is the first five books of the TaNaKh [a.k.a. Old Testament], that is written into one scroll, dressed in a beautiful garment and housed in a special closet called a Torah Ark. Other scrolls may be kept in this closet as well. CTL follows the ancient Torah cycle that was created by Ezra and The Great Assembly, before the reconstruction of Jerusalem and the House of G-d after they returned from exile. Our Torah Teachers follow this cycle and teach on the weekly portion. The new cycle begins in the fall after Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. You can find the cycle listings in a Complete Jewish Bible, online at FFOZ’s Torah Portions and we also post them each week in the Weekly Announcements and also on facebook.
Liturgy– this means “the work of the people” in Greek. In Hebrew this is avodah. It is idiomatic for public worship- beliefs, customs and traditions. In Judaism, this actually only pertains to the service of the Levitical priesthood when the House of G-d exists. This includes order of its service, music and especially prayers. So, today synagogues order their services and prayer times to reflect that.
Shofar– the ancient musical horn made of a ram’s horn or a Yemeni Kudu antler. We blow these to begin our service, sometimes during worship and several times during our Rosh HaShanah service.
Tallit & Tzitzit-a Tallit, is a prayer shawl, the ceremonial version of the Biblical four-cornered garment and helps keep the Biblical commandment to wear the tzitzityot. Since men’s clothing has changed from robe wearing, the Rabbis came up with the Tallit as a way to keep the commandment. The Tallit is only to be worn during morning services and during prayer. Please do not wear your Tallit out of the sanctuary or while eating. Women are not commanded to keep this commandment, but are welcome to wear a feminine version or a scarf. A scarf is required if you are invited to light the candles or read from the Scriptures.
Kippah- a skullcap also known in Yiddish as yarmulke. This is worn in reverence to ADONAI and is a public display of devotion.
Davidic & Israeli folk Dance-Davidic dance has developed within Messianic Judaism, named after King David, who famously danced before the Ark of the Covenant. During the dispersion, Israelis learned dance from different cultures and they brought them back with them as they made Aliyah back to the Land. They combined elements from these cultures and music, creating Israeli Folk Dance. At CTL we combine the two into one expression of praise to ADONAI. We have a Praise Team that dances using Davidic and Israeli folk dance steps.
Oneg– this word in Hebrew means “delight” or joy. And refers to the time immediately after our service when we break bread and fellowship together on Shabbat.
Kosher-the dietary rules and regulations that are followed by those who keep the Biblical/Levitical diet. The lists of clean and unclean foods are in Lev. 11 & Deut. 14.
“Baruch Haba B’Shem ADONAI“- Blessed is He who comes in the name of the L-RD. This is the first thing that greets you as you come in our door at CTL. It is on the wall over the kitchen door in the foyer. This is from Psalm 118:26 and is the traditional Hebraic way to say “welcome” and also a very messianic phrase.
“Sh’ma“-“Sh’ma Yisrael, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI echad.” Hear O Israel, the L-RD is our G-d, the L-RD is One. This is the Hebrew letters on the back wall of the sanctuary, when we turn around to face east, towards Jerusalem and the first line of the pledge we make to ADONAI, as we take on the Yoke of the Kingdom as disciples of Yeshua [Jesus] Messiah.
Chag Sameach! [khOG sa-may-AKH]- This is the proper greeting in Hebrew on our special holydays, such as Passover, Rosh HaShanah, etc. It is also appropriate to add in the name of the holyday, example: “Chag Chanukkah Sameach!”
Congregation Tree of Life 