|
|
Post by alon on Dec 27, 2014 21:20:37 GMT -8
I keep it the best I can being in a divided household. I try to mark the day from sundown Fri to sundown Sat, with a 1/2 hr "fence" to make sure I don't transgress, especially on Fri evening.
Deuteronomy 5:12 "Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you."
Ex 31:15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.'"
I try keep Shabbat set apart, holy. I do not do any creative or unnecessary work. I also try to 'remember' both that Shabbat marked the creation of our earth, and us, and who it was that did this for us. Also I remember my/our freedom, both here in modern Western civilization and freedom from the curse of sin, represented by deliverance from Egypt.
The  prohibits "melachah", usually translated "work," but the word carries connotations of creativity and/or control.
Exodus 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Deuteronomy 5:15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
I don't buy, sell, or do any transactions, nor do I shop or do paperwork on Shabbat. These are more rabbinical restrictions than scriptural, although they can certainly be inferred from scripture! However it is something I agree with. The Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Council says of Shabbat "If we cannot make room for Shabbat in our busy schedules, we prove that the fact of our slavery has not changed, only its location." Baruch HaShem.
I actually mostly try to study. I read the par'sha, Haftorah and B'rit Chadasha readings for that week and study them. And of course I come here to the forum as often as I can. If I am up in time I will either catch the live streaming service at Synagogue Beith Aveinu or Synagogue Chavarut HaMoshiach (the parent synagogue for this forum). But due to a medical condition it isn't often I am up and coherent enough for that. I do attend the evening service/yeshiva at 3:00 PM in a neighboring town. I feel a spiritual letdown if either I miss it or it is cancelled. Rav S won't be here again next week, but we are all going to meet for lunch and fellowship at one of the congregants homes.
I do say a short prayer acknowledging the start and end of Shabbat. I suppose I should get my Siddur and look up the traditional prayers. But frankly, without the participation of my wife, the lighting of Shabbat candles, Havdalah and all that goes in between, it is difficult to get in the mood. So I do what I can.
For me, like tonight, Shabbat doesn't really "end" for a while. I'll keep studying as long as I'm not too tired. Which I suppose answers your question about how I feel when it ends-- "tired!" But it's usually a good tired.
The main thing is we should all be keeping Shabbat. It is a clear, and the most repeated commandment! And like everything we do, start slow and learn as you go. But I'd also say this one should be a priority for us. It is what more than anything else sets us apart for HaShem. It is a clear sign of His covenant of salvation, to the Jew first and then to us Gentiles. And believe me, a Gentile keeping Shabbat gets noticed!
Shavua tov!
Dan C
|
|
|
|
Post by alon on Dec 27, 2014 22:22:02 GMT -8
Here is a pretty good site explaining Shabbat for Messianics, but with a definite Rabbinical bent:
ourrabbis.org/main/halakhah-mainmenu-26/shabbat-mainmenu-30
I don't agree with everything they say, but they have some excellent explanations and good arguments to back them up. And remember, work up to this slowly. Rushing it is frustrating, which definitely is not in the spirit of the commandment. Just as important, there may be some things we cannot do. If truly it is not possible, then don't; don't do it and don't feel guilty. For example one couple at my yeshiva both have to take weekend call for their respective jobs. She is a PA, and she of course can't schedule patients illnesses or accidents. He works in an Ag Service industry, and scheduling a farmer is more difficult than scheduling accidents! Sometimes the same farmer gets them both called out at different times in the day. Yeshua spoke of letting your donkey (an appropriate synonym for a farmer  ) out to water or pulling livestock out of the ditch on Shabbat. The prohibition is against unnecessary work, not all work!
Now this is not license to schedule yourself for overtime on Shabbat. And it may be possible to get another job that doesn't require work on Shabbat. This is all between you and HaShem, though. Me, I have enough trouble remembering to keep it myself. I went and picked up a prescription yesterday evening, and never even thought about its being Shabbat until after I got back home! I forgot to remember! But it was truly an honest mistake, so I don't beat myself up over it. I almost cooked today too, but I thought about what I was doing just before I cracked the egg ... 
It's an adventure, for sure! And to me it's worth the effort.
Dan C
|
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Dec 28, 2014 9:55:39 GMT -8
I always look forward to Shabbat, and find myself depending on it to get through the rest of the week. When I get tired or frustrated throughout the week, it is a motivation that helps me get through with a good attitude.
I get the house in order on Thursday and do all the cooking on Friday. I keep it simple. Soups, salads, fresh fruit and vegetables. We use paper plates and don't do anything fancy. I do let myself turn the coffee pot on, but I get it ready to go on Friday. I do heat stuff up.
I have purposefully done things so that I don't get all uptight and caught up in how things have to be. I can easily get pulled in that direction, and then the blessing of Shabbat would be lost on me. I light candles and say a prayer according to the 18 minutes before sunset regulation. I don't do that whole waving thing. I have read it has something to do with a "Shabbat Queen". I am uncomfortable with that and unsure what it is about. ( Maybe someone can provide a little insight about that ....)
I usually go to bed quite early Friday night. It is almost like a switch flips for me, and I realize how tired I have been. It works out because everyone is well fed, and my husband is excited to be home and wants to spend time with the kids. I don't go out and about. I don't check email or use my phone. (that's a big one for me.) I don't buy anything, and I try not to do anything that causes people to work. I don't require my kids pick up their toys, though my husband does occasionally. I study, pray, rest, and from 1:00 - 4:00 I have the synagogue service on.
If the family needs something that at first glance seem counter to Shabbat, I try to remember it is a challenge G-d has allowed. My current goal is to look at Yeshua's healing miracles, specifically the crippled woman in the synagogue whom he healed on the Sabbath. If I am going to do what might be considered work on the Sabbath, I want it to be in a way that reconciles and promotes peace between G-d and my family. I am going to try to focus on letting my reverence and delight in Shabbat carry over into those interactions where the devil may very well be trying to rattle me into forgetting, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27
I understand G-d's resting on the Sabbath to be because all was perfect. I understand Yeshua's miracles to be upholding the Sabbath by in some way restoring what is imperfect and reconciling G-d to people. My home certainly is not perfect. We need a lot of restoring and reconciling. I do not want the Sabbath to become a schism for my family or seem like a day where mommy just disregards them. It is a balance. All of us have grown over time, and my family has a lot more respect for my "rituals" than in the beginning. After Shabbat, we are ready to get out of the house. We have developed our own little tradition of going out for cheesecake and ice cream after sunset. |
|
|
|
Post by alon on Dec 28, 2014 14:18:30 GMT -8
I always look forward to Shabbat, and find myself depending on it to get through the rest of the week. ...
Dan  C |
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Feb 21, 2015 9:44:55 GMT -8
Just looking for some feedback. I have avoided visiting the forum on Shabbat in the interest of avoiding work. However, I have recently started struggling a lot with a lack of fellowship especially on Shabbat. I finally get to study and think about things that I haven't had time consider throughout the week then I feel like sharing. So I started posting today because I feel like it is the closest I can get to the fellowship offered by a holy convocation. Maybe people more knowledgeable than me can offer me guidance or a warning if necessary. I am trying to keep His Commandments, but also know He has ways of showing us how to better to do so for our good and His purpose. I don't have a holy convocation to attend so maybe the forum is an option for me to get to participate in a type of fellowship as an alternative....
|
|
|
|
Post by alon on Feb 21, 2015 13:59:38 GMT -8
Just looking for some feedback. I have avoided visiting the forum on Shabbat in the interest of avoiding work. However, I have recently started struggling a lot with a lack of fellowship especially on Shabbat. I finally get to study and think about things that I haven't had time consider throughout the week then I feel like sharing. So I started posting today because I feel like it is the closest I can get to the fellowship offered by a holy convocation. Maybe people more knowledgeable than me can offer me guidance or a warning if necessary. I am trying to keep His Commandments, but also know He has ways of showing us how to better to do so for our good and His purpose. I don't have a holy convocation to attend so maybe the forum is an option for me to get to participate in a type of fellowship as an alternative....
Synagogue Chavurat HaMashiach does a live stream service on the internet every Shabbat. It starts at 10:00 AM, I believe. You can find it here:
www.synagoguechm.com/livestreaming.html
As to coming on the site, I see nothing wrong with it. I obviously do come here and for much the reasons you listed. Also Shabbat being a day of study for me, I often share insights here as well. As I understand the prohibition, it is a day to abstain from ordinary work and to focus on HaShem. Personally, I also moderate on Shabbat if necessary. The higher mitzvah is to keep this an orderly place where you all can come and feel safe talking about the things of God. I'll also welcome new members if I can. We have one pending now, and I'll check my email for only her response. I can't heal on the Sabbath, but I can facilitate someone out there on their own coming to a place where we all can offer spiritual support.
Judaism is all about community, and this is ours. I'd say it is worse to stay away just because a rabbi in the age of wood said don't make a spark than to come on here and fellowship, even if sporadically in cyberspace. Just my opinion.
Dan C |
|
|
|
Post by alon on Feb 21, 2015 18:26:30 GMT -8
I asked Rabbi S, and he said my advice above is correct, with the possible exception being if someone had a live Messianic community and were able to go, and they come here instead. If you can at all get to a good (and I want to stress the word good) Messianic community, then you should be there with them and support them. If not, then you actually should be here, supporting and sharing with each other on Shabbat. It's about community. It's about discussing the things of God. And for us, it's about learning to think like those who were entrusted with the Word of God, the Jews.
Dan C
|
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Feb 22, 2015 6:27:29 GMT -8
Thanks Alon!
|
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Mar 14, 2015 21:01:11 GMT -8
For those with any type of a "church/Christian" past,
It's wild - especially as time goes by - through guarding the Shabbat (in body AND mind), observing the appointed times of G-d and trying to see things through the Judaic lens that the old religious keepings just fall away.
The Sunday church, the different "holidays" and the western Christian mindset just unravels and no longer holds any sway. I would never say or imply any of this to be disrespectful towards a Christian or anyone who attends a church ... or someone who celebrates Christian holidays. But the years go by and they mean nothing to me. Yet I still acknowledge the G-d of Israel and the true Messiah. And there is no sin in this. One of my best friends is an 80 year old Catholic priest. I took care of a close friend of his (also a priest) while he was under my hospice care. That is how my friend and I met. He wanted to be close to a Jew and to understand the things I believed in. "Father" has become a bit of a surrogate father for me! We meet every week and discuss life and Biblical things over dinner. He could be a fantastic rabbi - that's just my pipe dream. As we grow closer, I get the sense that even he silently wonders about the things "the church" does.
At first "Father" seemed puzzled as to why my wife and I didn't celebrate Christmas. It was simple, I just gently told him, "it's not a biblical holiday". The same with Easter (and all the paganism). As we grow closer he sees that I love G-d as much as he does, that there is no sin to be found in my religious practice and I think he really likes it. I suppose it's encouraging to me. It obviously makes so much more sense to acknowledge the appointed times and high holy days that are written in the Scriptures and indicated on any Hebrew calendar.
It's a very difficult, confusing, exciting, sometimes depressing transition when you first discover the truth. I literally thought I was going through a crisis of faith. Actually, I was. I felt like I had to re-discover "Jesus". All of a sudden I was asking, "who is He? what do I believe in? how could I be wrong all these years?" And then add the PEOPLE. Everyone can make you confused, cause you to question every little thing you held close. The nice promise is that the L-rd will return and reconcile all the questions and confusion that won't go away. Questions WILL be answered and that is fantastic.
So, if anyone is isolated or sometimes perplexed - don't give this burden any authority. Acknowledge the G-d of Israel and the world. Bless his Name. Bless his creation and thank Him for it. Thank Him for the food and bread you eat. Thank Him for your home. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Give thanks for the Messiah, who (though he may seem silent or unseen) very certainly loves you, the person He made. You're one of His soul's on this earth.
G-d bless you - garrett
B"H
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2015 3:58:45 GMT -8
Garrett, I must say that I enjoyed reading your above encouragement.
Often times I myself have questioned much of what I follow in the Christian faith. At times, it is anger that I sense knowing that I have been lied to all this time. I feel that I had wasted so much time and God"s time.
Moriah Ruth
|
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Mar 15, 2015 6:43:49 GMT -8
It was very encouraging!
I have come to a place where I don't even think about the Christian holidays and honestly wouldn't miss them. However, it is a family event so it makes it much more complicated. The nostalgic quality and the gifts have more of a hold than anything. I don't make it an issue and celebrate with them, but I am gradually trying to move away. I am hoping as my kids learn more about G-d and experience more Biblical celebrations it will be easier for them to move away as well. |
|
|
|
Post by garrett on Mar 18, 2015 5:02:25 GMT -8
Moriah and Elizabeth,
I'm glad it was helpful. Yeah, the wasted time is a bit of a bummer for me too. But that's water under the bridge, I suppose.
When other family members celebrate these holidays I find that I have to be (obviously) respectful. And ...I still have to show up with a gift. I try to treat it as if I was invited to the home of a family who had a completely different culture than mine. That helps. Other than that, it's nice to not get involved in all the other stuff that costs time, money and energy.
Take care..
|
|
prohibits "melachah", usually translated "work," but the word carries connotations of creativity and/or control.
) out to water or pulling livestock out of the ditch on Shabbat. The prohibition is against unnecessary work, not all work!
C
