Messianic Vernacular

The term “messianic” is based on the truth of Scripture, that Yeshua is the Messiah. The apostle's consistent message throughout the epistles is that Adonai Yeshua is the Messiah. Acts 9:22

The hope of Israel and the Good News of salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God required the identifying of who the Messiah was and is prophetical. Without this understanding hope was lost! 

Those who embraced Yeshua as their Messiah “were first called Messianics” or Messiah’s Community (not Christians or the Church). Hebrew: Mishiach or M’shichi meaning Messianic.

The term Messianics and Messiah’s Community identified the followers of Yeshua and the apostles as separate (Kadosh - holy) and distinct from Judaism under the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Rabbis of the day. It also identified them from all other false religions, teachings, traditions, and emphasis that developed around them and from among them, such as the various gnostic groups, false teachers, and prophets of the day. 

As a Messianic fellowship, we are neither Christian nor Judaistic in our emphasis, traditions, or doctrines. We take seriously the writings of Moses, called the Torah in Hebrew, the prophets, called the Tanakh in Hebrew, and the teachings of Yeshua and the apostles. Matthew 22:29-34. Luke 16:16-17 

As a Messianic fellowship, faithfulness to the Scriptures, the accuracy of the translation, and understanding the truth of the message according to the culture, language, and traditions of the Hebrew writers are essential. All Scripture and the Apostolic Writings, that is from Genesis to Revelation are the foundation of Hebrew thought and understanding. “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness…”  2 Timothy 3:14-17., 1 Timothy 1:3-11. Luke 24:25-27

Glossary

B'nei Mitzvah - B'nei Mitzvah is the coming of age and commemorating a young person. Literally translated the term means " a child of God's Commanments." For young men the event is called a bar-mitzval and a young woman a bat-mitzvah.

B'nei Yisrael - B'nei Yisrael means Children of Israel. Bnei Yisrael (sons, or children, of Israel) are the descendants of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham.  Exodus 1:7  "Yet B'nei Yisrael were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied and grew extremely numerous-so the land was filled with them." (TLV)

Challah - Challah is a loaf of braided leavened bread. In Hebrew, challah (pronounced "Ha  lah") means loaf. Challah is a special bread usually braided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major Jewish holidays  (other than Passover).

Huppah - The Huppah also spelled Chuppah is a canopy, usually a Tallit, which is supported by four poles under which a couple stands  during a Jewish wedding ceremony.  Standing under the Huppah symbolized the home that the couple will build together in marraige. Psalms 19:5

Ketuvim - The Ketuvim is the third component of the Hebrew Bible. The word Ketuvim in Hebrew means           "The Writings," These books include I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Nehemiah, and Ezra.

Kippah - The Kippah also known as a yarmulka (pronounced yamaka) is a Jewish skull cap or head covering. Although not a requirement, the kippah is worn to cover ones head in reverence to Adonai.

Kohen - Kohen is the Hebrew name for priest. The plural name of the word is kohanim "priests"- The high priest is referred to as the Kohen Gadol. Exodus 28:1 "Bring your brother Aaron near me with his sons from among Bnei-Yisrael, so they may minister to me as kohanim." (TLV)

Menorah  - The menorah (pronounced men or ah) is a candelabra used in Jewish celebrations. The menorah is thoroughly described in Exodus 25: 31-40. The menorah symbolizes the divine light of Adonai,

Nevi'im - The Nevi'im is the second major component of the Tanach.  The Nevi'im includes the books of the Major Prophets, (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah,  Ezekiel) and the Twelve also known as the Minor Prophets, (Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).  The Major and Minor Prophets designation does not denote that the Major Prophets are more important than the Minor Prophets but simply is a designation based upon the amount or size of the book.  The Major Prophets are simply longer books.

Oneg - Oneg is a communal meal and time for fellowship when we celebrate Shabbat.  This is a time of festivity and fellowship.

Parasha -  Parasha also known as the Parsha in Hebrew means "Portion" or "Section of the Tanakh."  Each week we publish a reading list or Parasha for the congregration to read, study and contemplate.

Ruach ha-Kodesh - The Ruach ha-Kodesh is the the Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit.  Ruach (ru-awk) meands "spirit" or "wind". and Ha-Kodesh in Hebrew means "Holy."  Luke 3:22  "and the Ruach ha-Kodesh came down upon Him in bodily form like a dove. And from out of heaven came a voice.'You are My Son whom I love - with you I am well pleased.'" (TLV)

Shabbat - Shabbat is the seventh day of the week.  A day of rest and the cessation of work.  See the Holy Days under the useful links tab for a more complete definition and explanation as the Shabbat is a Holy Day before Adonai.

Shalom - Shalom in Hebrew simply means "Peace" Pronounced (Sha - loam).  When attending Ahava you will be greeted often with the phrase Shabbat Shalom or Peace on the Sabbath.  Shalom is first mentioned in the Torah in Genesis 26:29 "that you will do us no harm, just as we haven’t touched you and just as we did nothing to you but good, and sent you away in shalom. You are now blessed by Adonai.” (TLV)

    Shofar - The Shofar (pronounced "Show Far") is an ancient musical instrument made from the horn of ritually         clean animals. usually a ram.  The Shofar is blown for the purpose of assembling the people.

Sukkah - The sukkah (succah) translated as "booth" is a temporary shelter.  Its meaning is to commemorate the shelter that Adonai provided to bnei-Israel (Children of Israel) in the wilderness during the Exodus from Egypt.

Star of David - The Star of David is a Jewish symbol.  It is not mentioned in the Torah, Talmud, or Tanakh. It is a six pointed star consisting of two equalateral overlapping triangles. First used by the Jewish Community in Prague, Czechoslovakia.  By the 17th Century the symbol was used by many Jewish Communities throughout Europe and by the 19th century the symbol was universally adopted by Jewish Communities as a symbol of their identity just as most Christian denominations use the cross.

Tallit - The Tallit is a rectangular Jewish prayer shawl. On each corner of the Tallit are three chords representing       Adonai's commandment in Numbers 15:38. "Speak to Bnei-Yisrael.  Say to them that they are to make for themselves tzizit on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and they are to put a blue cord on each tzitzit.

Tanakh - The Tanakh or Tanach, is also referred to as the "Old Covenant" or "Old Testament." The Tanach is the 39 Books of the Hebrew or Jewish Bible.  The Tanakh is comprised of three parts.  The Torah (also known as the Pentateuch in the Greek: see Torah), the Nevi'im (The Prophets: see Nevi'im), and the Ketuvim (The Scriptures: see: Ketuvim). Tanakh is an acronym for Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.

Torah - The Torah is the first five books of the Tanakh. (see Tanakh). These books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The word Torah in Hebrew literally means a set of instructions from a Father to His Children.  The Torah is  often referred to today as "The Law of Moses" or "The Law." The Torah is also referred to as the Pentateuch from its Greek translation meaning "Five Books."

Yarmulka - Pronounced Yam a ka.  See Kippah

Yom - The word Yom means day.  The word yom can refer to a period of time as well not just a literal day just as in English.