- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on May 16, 2021 11:03:57 GMT -8
Well, I have found a place I think I will attend and worship. Called "Chavurat Teliotes," and you can tell by the name we have a few differences. But who doesn't? They know where I am on Hebrew primacy (and many there agree with me), and I know where they are on it; and it is not a "hill to die on" for either of us. But they are pretty solid, and a good bunch of people. I know (or have met) many of them. We almost all have to (and are willing to) travel to shul and special events. Worth every mile to be able to gather with like minded believers.
One difference is I will celebrate Shavuot starting this evening, in accordance with the Pharisaical (and most of Judaism's) interpretation of scripture. But they will meet next week in accordance with the Sadducaical interpretation. So I'll get 2 "holidays" as I will meet and celebrate with them. Thus I'll keep the commandment to observe Shavuot as I interpret it, and I will keep the commandment to congregate the best I can. And I'll get to eat! These are farm and ranch families mostly, and they know how to cook!
There is no Beit Din, or any real authority for halacha. But they are willing to discuss issues and even make non-binding rulings on halalichical issues. They do of course have some things they require so as to keep order and maintain decorum. And I am good with that for now (I do think if there are those well versed in Torah and Jewish history enough having a halalichic authority can be a good thing- keeps me "honest"). But there is a LOT to be said for knowing and admitting one's limitations and not trying to enforce your will on others. I do appreciate that. As I've said here many times, there are few really qualified Messianic Rabbis, and even the senior people in the movement are still learning! So we all need to give the leadership the benefit of the doubt as they learn and grow alongside us.
They do not have a "pastor" or a "rabbi," or a Beit Din, but instead have a Board of Elders, and the senior Elder leads services. And there is always a lot of lively discussion at Oneg after services!
They are on a 3 year Torah cycle (as is the parent synagogue here), which I have been thinking about going to when i start doing the parashot again next Shemeni Atzaret/Simchat Torah. Hopefully Ben Avraham will continue to post the regular parashot, so we'll have both the 1 and 3 yr cycles represented here.
Anyhow, it is worth the search and the travel to find fellowship. So I encourage you all to at least find a place close enough to meet periodically with fellow Messianics, even if just for the moedim. it is extremely uplifting to do so- and I say this as an extreme introvert! If you cannot, then I encourage you to become more active here. It's not perfect, since there is no actual human contact, but it is far better than doing this alone and in the dark.
Y'all have a great Shavuot (whichever one you celebrate)!
PS, I gave the Senior Elder the address here so he can check what I write at any time. I do not hide my views or my beliefs; and honestly do think anyone with whom I fellowship should be able to come and read my mind (uncensored and too often probably unfiltered)! Knowledge is meant to be shared, but also I encourage him to correct anything he thinks is wrong, either by coming here or in private. It's one way I/we learn.
One difference is I will celebrate Shavuot starting this evening, in accordance with the Pharisaical (and most of Judaism's) interpretation of scripture. But they will meet next week in accordance with the Sadducaical interpretation. So I'll get 2 "holidays" as I will meet and celebrate with them. Thus I'll keep the commandment to observe Shavuot as I interpret it, and I will keep the commandment to congregate the best I can. And I'll get to eat! These are farm and ranch families mostly, and they know how to cook!
There is no Beit Din, or any real authority for halacha. But they are willing to discuss issues and even make non-binding rulings on halalichical issues. They do of course have some things they require so as to keep order and maintain decorum. And I am good with that for now (I do think if there are those well versed in Torah and Jewish history enough having a halalichic authority can be a good thing- keeps me "honest"). But there is a LOT to be said for knowing and admitting one's limitations and not trying to enforce your will on others. I do appreciate that. As I've said here many times, there are few really qualified Messianic Rabbis, and even the senior people in the movement are still learning! So we all need to give the leadership the benefit of the doubt as they learn and grow alongside us.
They do not have a "pastor" or a "rabbi," or a Beit Din, but instead have a Board of Elders, and the senior Elder leads services. And there is always a lot of lively discussion at Oneg after services!
They are on a 3 year Torah cycle (as is the parent synagogue here), which I have been thinking about going to when i start doing the parashot again next Shemeni Atzaret/Simchat Torah. Hopefully Ben Avraham will continue to post the regular parashot, so we'll have both the 1 and 3 yr cycles represented here.
Anyhow, it is worth the search and the travel to find fellowship. So I encourage you all to at least find a place close enough to meet periodically with fellow Messianics, even if just for the moedim. it is extremely uplifting to do so- and I say this as an extreme introvert! If you cannot, then I encourage you to become more active here. It's not perfect, since there is no actual human contact, but it is far better than doing this alone and in the dark.
Y'all have a great Shavuot (whichever one you celebrate)!
PS, I gave the Senior Elder the address here so he can check what I write at any time. I do not hide my views or my beliefs; and honestly do think anyone with whom I fellowship should be able to come and read my mind (uncensored and too often probably unfiltered)! Knowledge is meant to be shared, but also I encourage him to correct anything he thinks is wrong, either by coming here or in private. It's one way I/we learn.
