Torah Service

During Shaharit Shabbat/Sabbath morning service, we process and read from the Torah (the 5 Books of Moses), the Haf-Tarah (the Prophets) and the B'rit Chadasha (New Covenant).  The readings are in Hebrew and English.  All are invited to participate.  We do this faithfully each week with the hope that what we practice will eventually reach our hearts. This is what Jewish people around the world do and is a root to our worship. This was part of the life and Synagogue experience of Yeshua.  The following gives  explanation of what we  do, what is seen and experienced at our service.

The Siddur (Prayer Book):  Siddurim are available just inside the sanctuary door, to the left, as one enters.  The Siddur is filled with beautiful prayers that are made up of Scripture and follow Jewish tradition.  The main Siddur we use at Lev HaShem is Messianic Jewish and is within the flow of Judaism.  There is also a Siddur for the Festivals.  Everything we do is projected on the screen at the front and all are free to follow along in the Siddur.

The Barkhu (Call to Worship):  This is what officially begins our services.  The Barkhu is chanted and the kehilah (congregation) participates.

The Sh'ma/V'Ahavta: The Sh'ma (to hear) and V'Ahavta (the command to love) are considered the most important statements in Scripture, in Jewish faith, culture, and life.  This is found in D'Varim (Deuteronomy) 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and B'Midbar (Numbers 15:37-41).   When the Torah teacher asked Yeshua which are the most important mitzvot, this is what Yeshua reiterated in Mattityahu (Matthew) 22:35-39 and Mark 12:28-31.  We will stand, and the Aron (the Ark where the Torah is kept) will be opened.  We face the Aron and recite the Sh'ma together.  Full transliteration and translation will be projected on the screen.  We shield our eyes when reciting the Sh'ma as to completely focus on what it means and on loving Adonai (L-rd).  The person leading the Sh'ma will cover his/her head with a tallit or head covering out of respect to the most important statement in the world. 

Torah Procession:  Those involved in the actual Torah procession will be come to the bima (platform).  Men will wear kippot and tallitot and women will have their heads covered.  After the Khazan (Cantor) chants the blessings, the procession through the congregation begins.  Participants will carry the Torah, the Haf-Tarah, and the B'rit Chadasha throughout the sanctuary.  The procession is a picture of HaShem sending His Son Yeshua, from Heaven to walk among us.  One of the Messiah's titles is "Immanu-El" (G-d in Our Midst).  Congregants will reach out with their tallitot, their Scriptures or their Siddurim and touch them, bringing them to their lips as a symbol of bringing G-d's blessing into our lives.  This is not idol worship or the practice of paying homage to ancient relics.   This tradition honors what G-d's Word means to us. This is a joyous celebration, all should feel invited to participate!

The Torah - G-d's Word that was given on Mt. Sinai, is made up of the first five books of the Bible/Tanach, called the Torah.  The word "Torah" itself means "Teaching or instruction".  The Torah is dressed in fine regalia for a reason! It's G-d's D'var/Word.  Each part of its attire has a special meaning.  Read Ephesians 6: 14-18

Crown - The top of the Torah is adorned with a beautiful crown, which represents G-d's Word being King!  The Torah is the most important article of worship in a synagogue.  You will also notice that the crown is decorated with small bells which emit a jingling sound when the Torah is processed.  This reminds us of the bells on the robes of the High Priest that could be heard as he moved about the sanctuary performing his duties.  This sound is also, like G-d's Word, it is "music to our ears!"

Mantle - Symbolic of the High Priest's tunic, the mantle resembles a cylinder with one closed end that contains two small, round holes, through which the wooden rolls protrude. The mantle is decorated with two lions holding the Ten Commandments, which represent the guards of the sacred Ark that held the tablets during Biblical times. The mantle protects the scrolls.

Breastplate - The High Priest wore a special breastplate and vestments, encrusted with 12 precious stones symbolizing the 12 Tribes of Yisrael when he was engaged in his sacred duties. In this manner, it was clear that the High Priest served G-d on behalf of the entire people Yisrael. In the same way, Yeshua is our High Priest in behalf of us all. 

Yad - We do not touch the parchment scroll, both because of its sanctity and because the oils of our hands can damage the delicate writing, rendering the scroll pasul (unacceptable for   public reading).  Therefore, a pointer called a yad,  "hand" is used.  It may be made of wood or metal, and is shaped like a right hand with a finger pointing. This assists the reader keep his place in the scroll.

Eitz Chayim (Tree of Life) - The very article that supports the Torah is made of wood.  Scripture tells us that "Wisdom is a tree of life to all that take hold of it…" (Proverbs 3:18). Just as Avraham prepared to sacrifice his son on wood, so did Yeshua give His life on the execution stake.  It is on that wood that eternal life and forgiveness of sin was declared for all of us!

The Sash (inside, around the scrolls) - The sash of the High Priest is symbolized by the belt of truth which ties the scroll together before the mantle is placed over the scroll. This belt, holds the scroll tightly rolled and protects it when it is being held or standing in the ark.

The Undressing of the Torah: Once the Torah has processed throughout the congregation, we return it to the bima where it is undressed relatively quickly.  This is because we are anxious to read G-d's Word and we anticipate this blessing.  Once the accoutrements have been removed, it is laid out to be read.  The Haf-Tarah is also undressed and laid out.  We remain standing until the reading of the blessings are completed.

The Blessings and Reading:  Once the Torah is prepared for reading, the Torah Related Sh'ma is said.  This is a variation of the Sh'ma/V'Ahavta read earlier in the service.  Next, the Khazan and Spiritual Leader will pronounce blessings upon the reader(s).  It is great honor to be called to the bima to read from Scripture and those participating do so with joy.  Once the reader or Khazan has said the final blessing for the reading, the congregation may be seated. 

Reading of the Parsha:  In Jewish services, the Torah has been divided into sections, each called a "parsha".  These portions, or parshot are read according to the Hebrew calendar.  Jews all over the world read, study, and discuss these same parshot at the same time.  During the Torah service, the portion is read in Hebrew with English translation following.  Sometimes we read verse by verse - first in Hebrew, then in English.  Often we will read the entire portion in Hebrew and a different reader will translate after, reading from the English.  Hearing Scripture read in Hebrew is truly a blessing and it is moving to know that this is exactly what Yeshua would have heard as He worshipped in the synagogue Himself.

Reading of the Haf-Tarah:  Accompanying each parsha, a reading from the Writings of the Prophets (the Haf-Tarah) is read also.  These readings compliment the parsha and can be done in either Hebrew and/or English.  The Spiritual Leader will pronounce a blessing on the next reader, and a blessing just for this Haf-Tarah reading is chanted by the Khazan, before and after the reading.  The congregation may remain seated.

B'rit Chadasha:  The B'rit Chadasha, (New Covenant) is also read.  Passages read from the B'rit Chadasha compliment the selected readings from the Torah and Haf-Tarah.  This is also done in Hebrew and English.  A special blessing is also pronounced on those reading from the B'rit Chadasha as well blessings before and after the passage is read.  The congregation may remain seated.

The Lifting of the Scrolls/Pointing: The Torah and Haf-Tarah will be lifted up and the congregation will stand at this point, and remain standing.  We will point to the scrolls with our little fingers.   We use our littlest fingers for different reasons.  One is that out of respect, we would not be so bold as to point with at Scripture with our index fingers. Also, it is thought that if we can follow the wisdom of Scripture with even this, the smallest part of us, then certainly the rest of us will follow.  The Khazan will state that, "This is the portion which was read today, by which you are witnesses…."  This is showing everyone the actual portions that were read in the service.

The Dressing of the Torah:  The Torah is rolled and re-dressed with all of its beautiful accoutrements.  This is done slowly and deliberately.  We don't' want to see G-d's Word go, so we take our time and linger a bit longer with it, much like we do with  friends who are leaving  after a pleasant visit. Each piece is put back into place and the Torah, Halftorah and Magilla are placed back in the Ark. 

Eitz Chayim(the Tree of Life):  We will chant the beautiful "Eitz Chayim" which tells us that, "Wisdom is the Tree of Life…and happy are those who support it…"  You will see those on the bima also touch each scroll with their tallitot, scarves, Scriptures or Siddurs and bring them to their lips.  This is the same action that the congregation took as the scrolls processed.  G-d's Word is sweet to our lips and enriching to our lives.  At the conclusion, the Ark is closed and the Torah service has ended.  Congratulations - you have just participated in an ancient worship service that has been in practice for over 2500 years!