BEIT MIDRASH TEFILLAH HALLEL HALACHA AND OBSERVANCES A GUIDE FOR MAKING FAITH A WAY OF LIFE Halacha and Observances i for Beit Midrash Tefillah Hallel Assembly An Outreach of Deborah’s Messianic Ministries An Torah Observant Messianic Congregation in Yeshua http://www.deborahsmessianicministries.com BEIT MIDRASH TEFILLAH HALLEL HALACHA AND OBSERVANCES A GUIDE FOR MAKING FAITH A WAY OF LIFE Contents Books for Further Reading 5 Jewish History and Perspectives .............................................................................................. 5 Living As an Observant Jewish Believer in Yeshua ................................................................ 5 Our Beliefs 6 I. Scripture ................................................................................................................................ 6 II. G-D ....................................................................................................................................... 6 IV. Man ..................................................................................................................................... 6 V. Resurrection and Judgment .................................................................................................. 7 VI. The Messiah – The Redeemer ............................................................................................. 7 VI. The Synagogue .................................................................................................................. 7 Our Four Mission Goals 8 Making Disciples Of Torah...................................................................................................... 8 Strengthening Families In Torah.............................................................................................. 8 Building Community Through Torah ...................................................................................... 8 Proclaiming Messiah The Torah .............................................................................................. 9 A Note From The Rabbi 10 Introduction 11 1.1 A Desire for Unity ............................................................................................................ 11 1.2 The Beit Din ..................................................................................................................... 12 1.3 The Internet ...................................................................................................................... 13 1.4 Halacha: A Way of Life ................................................................................................... 14 1.5 Who needs Halacha? ........................................................................................................ 17 1.6 Our Approach to Halacha ................................................................................................. 18 1.7 An Observant Jewish Synagogue in Yeshua .................................................................... 19 1.8 Our Jewishness ................................................................................................................. 21 1.9 Regarding Tradition .......................................................................................................... 21 1.10 Our Logo and Emblem ................................................................................................... 22 1.11 Our Halacha .................................................................................................................... 22 Foundations 24 The Hebrew Calendar ................................................................................................................ 24 2.1 The Hebrew Calendar ....................................................................................................... 24 The Divine Name ....................................................................................................................... 25 2.2 Use of the Divine Name ................................................................................................... 25 2.3 The Name of the Messiah ................................................................................................. 26 Who is a Jew .............................................................................................................................. 26 2.4 Torah Observance For All Believers ................................................................................ 31 BEIT MIDRASH TEFILLAH HALLEL HALACHA AND OBSERVANCES A GUIDE FOR MAKING FAITH A WAY OF LIFE Kashrut 32 Why keep kosher? ...................................................................................................................... 32 Kosher Authority Websites .................................................................................................... 33 3.1 Fundamental Requirements .............................................................................................. 34 3.2 Gelatin, Cheese, Dairy and Wine ..................................................................................... 35 3.3 Shechitah and Removal of Blood ..................................................................................... 35 3.4 Separating Meat and Dairy ............................................................................................... 37 3.5 Eating in Restaurants ........................................................................................................ 38 3.6 Medications and Nutritional Supplements ....................................................................... 39 Shabbat 40 Why keep Shabbat? ................................................................................................................... 40 4.1 Starting/Ending Time ....................................................................................................... 41 4.2 Candle Lighting ................................................................................................................ 42 4.3 Participation in Shabbat Services ..................................................................................... 43 4.4 Kiddush, Havdalah, and the Meals of Shabbat ................................................................. 44 4.5 Practicing Ones Occupation ............................................................................................. 45 4.6 Kindling Fire .................................................................................................................... 46 4.7 Buying and Selling ........................................................................................................... 48 4.8 Travelling ......................................................................................................................... 48 4.9 Food Preparation .............................................................................................................. 49 4.10 Writing and Drawing ...................................................................................................... 49 4.11 Laborious Activity .......................................................................................................... 50 4.12 The Spirit of Shabbat ...................................................................................................... 50 4.13 Marital Relations ............................................................................................................ 52 Sabbath Customs of the Synagogue ........................................................................................... 52 4.14 Modesty .......................................................................................................................... 52 4.15 The Kippah, the Female Head covering, and the Tallit .................................................. 53 4.16 Reading from the Bema .................................................................................................. 55 4.17 The Torah Scroll Procession ........................................................................................... 55 4.18 The Giving of Tithes and Offerings ................................................................................ 55 4.19 Blowing of the Shofar ..................................................................................................... 55 Why Instrumental Music on Shabbat? ....................................................................................... 57 The Role of Halacha .............................................................................................................. 57 The issues of Instrumental Music on Shabbat and Yom Tov ................................................ 58 Addressing Myth # 1 .............................................................................................................. 59 Addressing Myth # 2 .............................................................................................................. 60 Addressing Myth #3 ............................................................................................................... 62 The Beauty, Spiritualty and Benefit of Music ....................................................................... 63 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 64 The Appointed Times 66 Why Celebrate the Jewish Holidays? ........................................................................................ 66 BEIT MIDRASH TEFILLAH HALLEL HALACHA AND OBSERVANCES