Kerem El Messianic Synagogue is a congregation of Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah). At Kerem El Messianic Synagogue you may notice some cultural practices that may be unfamiliar to you.
Kippah (yarmulke) and Head Coverings
It is customary for males to wear a kippah while attending services in a synagogue. It is a sign of submission to G-d. This custom is patterned after the priests in biblical days, who were commanded to wear head coverings while serving in the Temple (Exodus 28:40). It is also customary for women to cover their heads with a prayer scarf during the Shema, before approaching or holding the Torah, or during other worshipful times.
Tallit (tzit-tzit/fringes)
Many men in our congregation follow the biblical edict to wear a special garment called tallit (prayer shawl with fringes) during day services. This is a fulfillment of Numbers 15:38-40. Every male must wear both kippah and tallit while handling the Torah scrolls.
LITURGY
The liturgy we use at Kerem El Messianic Synagogue was selected from traditional Judaism and has been chosen to represent our faith in Yeshua the Messiah. Our liturgy is taken directly from, or based on, Scriptural texts. Most of our chosen liturgy was instituted during the Babylonian exile of our ancestors and was in effect for Temple worship during the time of Yeshua. The liturgical pieces are in Hebrew (translated into English characters-transliteration) and translated into English. They are ancient, poetic, profound and great assets to entering into the presence of G-d.
Davidic/Congregational Dance
Davidic/Congregational Dance is a part of our praise and worship. Davidic/Congregational Dance is meant to enhance our praise and worship of G-d. Joyful, modest, praiseworthy, graceful, worshipful, all describe watching and participating in Davidic/Congregational Dance as a form of praise and worship.
Torah
The Torah is G-d’s Word. Yeshua was referred to as the Living Word or Torah Chayim. When we process the Torah (take the Torah out of the ark) we acknowledge that it represents Yeshua as our Messiah. The Torah is brought to us, because now we have complete access to G-d’s Word. We touch or kiss the Torah with our tzit-tzit (fringes), scarf or Bible in order to affirm that we will do and we will obey!
Our Torah has been certified to be kosher by a sofer, scribe. Originally from Poland and approximately 200 years old, our Torah has been described as beautiful and readable. This Torah survived the holocaust. The sofer stated that this Torah was once dead and now has been given a new life, it is reborn. Our Torah has been resurrected to new life and represents Yeshua, the Living Word.
The Name of G-d
The biblical four-letter name of G-d cannot be pronounced. The correct vowels are unknown. Therefore, when reading the liturgical portions, the Hebrew letters comprising HaShem “The Name” are pronounced “Adonai”, which means L-rd. The name “Elohim” in liturgy refers to the Most High G-d.
Yeshua
Names and their meanings are very important to G-d. Remember, He changed Avram to Avraham (Genesis 17:5), Sarai to Sarah (Genesis 17:15), Ya’acov (Jacob) to Israel (Genesis 32:28). Knowing this, it is not surprising that G-d would choose a name for His Son that would have significant prophetic meaning. Unfortunately, the English name “Jesus” used by many in the Body of Messiah, has no literal meaning. It is perhaps an English transliteration (not translation) of the Greek transliteration, of the original Hebrew. In contrast, “Yeshua”, even in Modern Hebrew, literally means “salvation”. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua (salvation), because He will save His people from their sin” (Matthew 1:21.)