This post is designed to give helpful advice directly to members and regular attenders, and those interested in observing God's Appointed Fall Feasts of Israel here at Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue. Anyone however may benefit from this post.
A Messianic synagogue is unique in the sense that it is made up of individuals from various backgrounds, Jewish and Gentile, and all from a variety of religious communities. Our Jewish members, some of whom were raised Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or completely Secular. Our Gentile families also have derived from a complex history of Christian denominational backgrounds, more than can be listed here in this blog post! Nevertheless, according to the Bible in Ephesians 2, we are taught that we all makeup Messiah's body and we are One New Man together, as One in Messiah Yeshua. One body, one mikveh (immersion), and One Faith.
Nevertheless, within the Body of Messiah, there are a variety of different expressions of this One Faith, and there are cultural and even doctrinal differences as we all know and can imagine. This reality can bring its challenges to a Messianic Jewish synagogue that is committed to Jewish identity and culture while at the same time, welcoming non-Jews who want to be with us in this community. Since 1 Cor. 7 prohibits converting Gentiles into Jews and Acts 15 & 21 give us the Apostolic decision not to require Gentiles to become "Jews"; we, therefore, are a bit of a "mish-mash" of peoples from among all nations coming under the banner of Messianic Judaism. This is beautiful when it works smoothly.
It has its challenges, and when the High Holy Days roll around each year, and over the years those challenges become more noticeable. That is what I would like to address for the remainder of this post.
The 23rd chapter of Leviticus is one that outlines the Hebrew calendar and all of God's Appointed Times, known as "moadim", (literally: 'appointed times').
"23 Adonai spoke to Moses saying: 24 “Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a Shabbat rest, a memorial of blowing (shofarot), a holy convocation. 25 You are to do no regular work, and you are to present an offering made by fire to Adonai.” (Lev. 23:23-25).
Each year, many of our people, who are unfamiliar with the High Holy Days and appointed times of God, and have never observed these biblical holy days, are sometimes caught off guard when they roll around and how to prepare for them...
So, this should help many, hopefully. First, notice what this particular holy day is... there are 7 things that are laid out to describe this holy day for us:
1. In the 7th month (Hebrew month), that would be Tishrei. It occurs usually around September-October - NOTE IT CAN FALL ANYWHERE AROUND THIS TWO MONTH PERIOD, AND NOTICE SOMETHING ELSE...
2. It is the FIRST DAY of the 7th month. That means it can fall just about ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. It is NOT always on a Saturday.
3. What do we do on this day? First, we are commanded to have a Shabbat rest, (i.e., remember it may fall any day of the week, a Shabbat "rest" doesn't mean it's always on "Saturday".
4. Second, we are to blow and hear the Shofar that day. The worship must include the traditional sounds of the Shofar. These blasts actually have names and syncopations: "Tikeeah", "Taruah", "Shevarim" and "Tikeeah Gedolah". Each has its own sound. So it's not just "blowing" it once, there is a whole series of blasts and they all have meaning.
5. Third - we are to convene. That means God commands us to "Come Together" into a Holy Convocation. In other words, this is a pretty serious appointment/gathering (it cannot properly be observed alone in isolation), or in a "prayer closet".
6. Fourth - No work - that means literally no labor/earning money, buying or selling. This is where most people are caught off guard. Since it can fall during the week....
7. Present an offering. NOTE: The Torah calls this a "Korban Isheh" An offering made by fire. וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה, לַיהוָה. V'hi'krabetem Isheh L'Adonai. The root of this first word is: קרב Kof Resh Bet, and it means "to draw near". Korban means to draw near but it has a dual meaning, to draw near with your offering. The vav and the hey before the root means "and you will"...the tav and final mem as the suffix indicates you meaning a group of people, "you all", in other words, the people God is addressing through Moses, namely Israel! What is the point of this?
The Korban is NOT the Tithe, it is a separate special offering just for this occasion. It is not the regular daily Tamid offering or the regular Tithe offering, it is its own Rosh Hashanah offering...
Have you prepared your special Rosh Hashanah offering to Adonai, yet? Have you thought and prayed about what you plan to bring before the King at this appointed time?
Preparing for the High Holy Day is not the same as just showing up and thoughtlessly throwing in any extra change we find in our pockets along with the lint that comes with it.
The fact it is called Isheh (fire) means that it is wholly given over, completely burned in smoke up to the Lord, nothing is held back or shared. In other words, it is not a "fellowship offering" where everyone shares a piece of challah that someone brings. No, it is completely 100% for Adonai.
So this is what it means to prepare for Rosh Hashanah. One last thing. Since this year Rosh Hashanah and many of the rest of the High Holy Days fall on weeknights and weekday mornings... HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING YOUR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION REQUEST TO YOUR EMPLOYER TO GET THESE DAYS OFF?
Every year I provide letters on Tikvat letterhead explaining that you are a member of Tikvat and as a member, your religious obligation requires you to be excused from work on these holy days. The State of Ohio as well as most all States in the Union have laws that protect and guarantee religious accommodation to be made on behalf of all employees. In other words, it is the LAW that your employer must give you these days off upon your request. A letter from your rabbi will assist in helping you request the High Holy Days off.
Are employers required to accommodate the religious beliefs and practices of applicants and employees? Yes. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. This includes refusing to accommodate an employee's sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship (more than a minimal burden on the operation of the business). A religious practice may be sincerely held by an individual even if newly adopted, not consistently observed, or different from the commonly followed tenets of the individual's religion. see more at: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/what-you-should-know-workplace-religious-accommodation
So, there you have it, friends. There is nothing holding you back from being at this Holy Convocation. It is time to be getting ready. Get your days off now, put in your requests, if you need a letter, call the office and let me know, I'll even email it to you. 216-297-9929. This is for those who are committed to regular attendance and membership at Tikvat Yisrael.
Shalom,
R' Eric
