Daniah Greenberg | Messianic Jewish Family Bible
Summary
One of your favorite guests returns to inspire you about the treasures found in God’s Word.
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A few weeks ago, our Vice President of Global Outreach spoke to the Jewish Voice Ministries staff about the open doors before us and the opposition we face. He referenced 1 Corinthians 16:9, which says, "for a great door has opened wide for me, though many are in opposition" (TLV). He underscored not only the great outcomes we’ve had but also some of the big challenges we have faced on recent Outreaches.
He asked us to pray that the Lord will make us ready as we work to prepare the way for Him in the many places to which He calls us. He gave us five points of preparation. Let’s make them five points of prayer, with Scripture, to stir our faith.
The need is great. The call is urgent. And we must be ready. Join us in praying: LORD, PREPARE US as we prepare the way!
Promises: Lord, help us to know Your promises for Israel and the Jewish people. We need to know what You have said so we can join You in what You have promised to do.
⇒ Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 62, Romans 11:25‒27, Hebrews 8:10
Prayer: Lord, we must be "prayed up." We must fill the reservoir of prayer to receive answers from You and heavenly assistance to be dispatched when we need it. Prayer is the foundation of our preparation.
⇒ Colossians 4:2‒4, Luke 18:1, Hebrews 4:16, James 5:16‒18
Perseverance: Lord, strengthen us to persevere when circumstances might cause us to want to give up. We can do all things through the Messiah who strengthens us.
⇒ James 1:2‒4, 12, Philippians 1:6, Romans 12:12, Hebrews 12:1‒2
Priorities: May we always seek to be rightly aligned with You, putting You first and seeing all else fall in line with You.
⇒ Matthew 6:33, Deuteronomy 6:5, Colossians 1:16‒18
Perceive: We are completely dependent on the spiritual wisdom and discernment that comes from You, Lord. May we hear Your "yes" as well as Your "no" with equal clarity and be able to perceive Your timing regarding the places You are calling us to serve.
⇒ Philippians 1:9‒10, Psalm 119:66, John 16:13‒15
We pray: LORD, our cry is the same as Moses. Without Your presence, we dare not go. And without You preparing us, we will not be ready to go. Thank You for doing in us what we can't do for ourselves as we press in asking You to prepare us for the fields white for the harvest before us in many lands. To You be the glory. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN.
The angel answered … ‘Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Yeshua who was crucified. Come, see the place where He was lying.’”
―Matthew 28:5-6
They came bearing spices. Grief-stricken, the women wished to honor their Lord, Yeshua (Jesus).
When they arrived at the tomb, the earth shook and a blindingly bright light appeared. The Roman guards trembled and then collapsed as if dead.
“Do not fear,” an angel told the women. “He is not here. He has risen, just as He said.” They looked at the enormous stone that had been rolled away and saw the open chamber.
“Remember what He told you,” the angel continued, “When He was still in Galilee saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be executed, and on the third day rise up?” The women hurried away to tell the disciples.
Their words seemed like nonsense to the men. Even so, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb. John followed. When he arrived, Peter went right inside to see for himself.
Empty.
Except for the grave clothes, which had been wrapped around Yeshua’s lifeless body just three days before, the burial place was empty!
Peter went home marveling. You will too.
“It is beyond words how it’s going to impact your life in positive ways. The Lord wants to meet you there in a special way. You’re going to return with a richness you’ll not get anywhere else.”
―Pamela
“My whole life, I wanted to go to the Holy Land to see with my very own eyes where the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, performed all His miracles. This experience increased my faith in the risen Lord and Savior Yeshua and brought me such a love for the Jewish people and their neighbors. I was so blessed to go with Jewish Voice Ministries International, and I learned so much from the teachings!”
―D. Nelson
“In Israel, I saw my faith confirmed in a way that is different than anything I’ve ever experienced. Israel awakens something in you that deepens your faith. It fed my spirit and gave me greater confidence; I can speak more boldly about my faith to anyone now.”
―E. N.
If you’re new to Messianic Judaism, you may be unfamiliar with many of the Hebrew words commonly used among Messianic Jews. We’ve put together a glossary of some words that will help you explore the beauty and richness that the Hebrew language and Jewish tradition can add to your New Testament faith.
baruch (barr-OOKH)
Baruch means “blessed.” Blessing God is an important part of Jewish and Messianic Jewish worship. Many blessings open with the phrase “Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe” and are followed by various lines specific to each occasion.
Brit Chadasha (BRIT Khah-dah-SHAH)
The Brit Chadasha is the New Covenant or New Testament of the Bible.
challah (KHAH-lah)
Challah is a sweet egg bread served on Shabbat and holidays. It is usually braided and can be made with many variations.
echad (eh-KHAHD)
Echad means “one.” More than a simple numeral, echad reflects a compound oneness that is fitting to describe God’s existence. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one! (Deuteronomy 6:4).
Elohim (El-oh-HEEM)
Elohim is a name for God frequently used in the Old Covenant.
hallel (ha-LEL)
The literal translation of hallel is “praise.” In Jewish worship, “The Hallel” refers to the recitation of Psalms 113‒118 in the liturgy at various holidays.
HaShem (Ha-SHEM)
HaShem means “the name” and refers to the name of God. It is often included in blessings used in Messianic Judaism and traditional Jewish worship. Several Messianic congregations throughout the world are named Baruch HaShem, meaning “blessed be the name.”
kadosh (ka-DOSHE)
The translation of kadosh is “holy.” You will hear it often in prayers and worship songs within Messianic Judaism.
kedoshim (KED-oh-SHEEM)
The Tree of Life Version of the Bible replaces New Covenant references to Believers as “saints” with the Hebrew word kedoshim, which more clearly conveys the original meaning of the word as “holy ones.”
kippah (KEE-pah)
A kippah is also known as a skullcap or yarmulke (YAH-meh-kuh) in Yiddish. It is a small head covering worn by Jewish men during prayer, worship and teaching. It serves as a reminder of God’s presence and pre-eminence above man. Some non-Jewish men within Messianic Judaism also wear kippahs in the space of a Messianic Jewish synagogue.
kohen/kohanim (koh-HEN) (koh-ha-NEEM)
The word kohen means priest, and kohanim is its plural form. Have you ever met someone with the last name of Kohen, Cohen or Kahn? Their family name came from the ancient line of Jewish priests and often means their forefathers came from the sons of Aaron, the first high priest.
kohen gadol (koh-HEN gah-DOLE)
Many priests served the nation of Israel’s worship needs. However, there was only one high priest at a time. It was this kohen gadol who entered into the presence of God in the Holy of Holies once each year to bring atonement for the people. Messianic Judaism embraces Yeshua (Jesus) as our high priest who made complete atonement for our sin by His death (Hebrews 6‒10).
lashon hakodesh (lah-SHONE ha-KO-desh)
Hebrew is known as the lashon hakodesh, the “holy tongue,” spoken for millennia by God’s chosen people. It is the language of the Old Covenant Scriptures and is rich with subtleties and nuances that English often does not capture. In Jonathan Bernis’ Confessing the Hebrew Scriptures series, you can learn to proclaim and pray Scripture in the lashon hakodesh.
Mashiach (Mah-SHEE-akh)
The word Mashiach means Messiah or anointed one. The Old Covenant is filled with promises of the coming Messiah, the anointed one of God. The Brit Chadasha, or New Covenant, reveals Jesus as the Jewish Messiah prophesied throughout the Holy Scriptures. Most Jewish people still wait for the Messiah’s appearing while Messianic Jews recognize Him as Yeshua.
mezuzah (meh-ZOO-zah)
A mezuzah is a small container placed on the doorposts of homes. A little scroll of Scripture is placed inside according to the Torah’s command of Deuteronomy 6:4–9. Mezuzahs remind Jewish people that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. As an intentional act of remembrance, many Jewish people and Messianic Jews make a point of touching the mezuzah as they pass through doorways affixed with them.
mitzvah (mitz-VAH) / mitzvot (mitz-VOTE)
The Hebrew word for “commandment” is mitzvah. When a Jewish boy goes through his Bar Mitzvah ceremony, he becomes a “son of the commandment.” Mitzvot is the plural of mitzvah, meaning commandments.
Moad (MO-ed) / moadim (mo-eh-DEEM)
The Hebrew word used in the Bible for a Feast of the Lord is moad, which means “appointed time” (see Leviticus 23). The plural form is moadim.
parasha (par-a-SHAH)
The parasha is a weekly Scripture reading recited in Jewish synagogues. Each week the parasha – meaning portion in Hebrew - includes a part of the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah or Pentateuch. By the end of the year, worshipers have read the entire Torah, and the cycle begins again. Messianic Judaism continues this tradition connecting the parasha to images of Yeshua found in the Torah.
Pentateuch (PENT-ah-touk)
The Pentateuch comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Covenant), which were written by Moses. This collection of instructional books is also known as the Torah.
ruach (ROO-ach)
The Hebrew word for “spirit” is ruach.
Ruach HaKodesh (ROO-ach Ha-KO-desh)
“The Holy Spirit” is known in Hebrew as the Ruach HaKodesh.
Selah (SAY-lah)
You’ve probably noticed this little word in the book of Psalms. It typically appears between passages within a single psalm. It means “pause,” and it is a directive to the reader to linger a moment and reflect on what was just read before moving on to the next verse.
Shabbat (Shah-BAHT) / Shabbatot (Shah-bah-TOTE)
Shabbat means “Sabbath” and is the seventh day of the week, or Saturday on the Gregorian calendar. The word Shabbat means “rest” reflecting back to the Lord’s rest after six days of Creation. The Jewish day begins and ends at sunset, so the Shabbat starts on Friday evening when the sun goes down and ends at sunset on Saturday. Synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations conduct services on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, sometimes both. Several of the biblical Feasts call for a Shabbat, a rest, on a particular day. On these holy days, God commanded that no work be done, just as for the weekly Shabbat. Shabbatot is the plural of Shabbat.
Shalom (shah-LOME)
You may already know that shalom means “peace.” What may be new to you is that the word conveys much more than that. It also denotes the concept of “completeness” and “wholeness.” Knowing the fuller meaning of shalom enriches our understanding of Scripture – especially such passages as Psalm 122:6 in which God commands us to pray for the shalom of Israel and John 14:27 in which Yeshua told us about the extraordinary peace He gives. Shalom can also be used as a greeting and farewell.
Shema (Sheh-MAH)
Shema means “hear, listen.” It is the opening word used in Deuteronomy 6:4. The Shema is a Jewish prayer recited morning and evening taken from three Scripture passages (Deuteronomy 6:4‒9, 11:13‒21 and Numbers 15:37‒41). Messianic Judaism has adapted the Shema, and it is commonly sung to open worship services and prayer gatherings.
Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel)
Adonai Eloheynu (the Lord our God)
Adonai Echad (the Lord is one).
Baruch Shem Kavod (Blessed is the name of His glorious)
Malchuto L’olam Vaed (Kingdom for all eternity).
shofar (SHO-far) / shofarim (sho-far-EEM)
The shofar is a ram’s horn that is blown like a trumpet. When Joshua and the Israelites circled the city of Jericho and on the seventh day blew trumpets that frightened and confused the inhabitants, it was this type of horn they blew. (See Joshua chapter six.) The shofar is used today in Jewish synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations as a call to worship and on various Jewish holidays. Shofarim is plural.
tallit (tah-LEET)
A tallit is a woven prayer shawl worn during worship and prayer, primarily by men.
Talmud (Tal-MOUD)
The Talmud is the collection of Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah.
Tanakh (Tah-NAKH)
The Tanakh is the entirety of Hebrew Scriptures, known to Christians as the Old Covenant or Old Testament. The word Tanakh was formed from the first letters (TNK) of the three sections into which the Jewish Scriptures are divided: the Torah (instruction), Neviim (prophets) and Ketuvim (writings).
With warmth and transparency, Jewish Voice’s own Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Bernis shares a compelling case for Jesus as Messiah and presents overwhelming evidence that can be traced to the Torah itself.
tefillin (teh-fih-LEEN)
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, God commands Jewish people to diligently keep, speak of and teach His Word. He instructs them to bind it on their hands and foreheads and place it on their doorposts. Tefillin are small boxes that Jewish males tie onto their upper arm and forehead with long straps. The boxes have Scriptures inside in keeping with this commandment and are worn each weekday morning.
teshuva (teh-SHOO-vah)
Teshuva is the Hebrew word for repentance and means “turning back” or “returning.” Teshuva is vital to restoring one to a right standing with God and is especially highlighted from the month preceding the Feast of Rosh Hashanah and through Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Torah (TORE-ah)
Torah means “instruction.” The books of Moses comprise the Torah. These are the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, which are also called the Pentateuch. The Torah is part of the Tanakh.
tzedakah (tzeh-DAH-kah)
The Hebrew word for righteousness or acts of charity is tzedakah. Jewish synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations commonly have a “tzedakah box” designated for giving money toward charity.
tzitzit (TZEET-zeet)
The long fringes attached to the four corners of a tallit are called the tzitzit. They are a reminder of the Lord’s commandments, that Jewish people would perform them as the Lord instructs.
Yeshua (Yeh-SHOO-ah)
Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus. It means “salvation.” Messianic Jews recognize Yeshua as the Messiah revealed throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.
Yeshua HaMashiach (Yeh-SHOO-ah Ha-Mah-SHEE-akh)
Yeshua HaMashiach means “Jesus the Messiah” in Hebrew. The word Christ is not found in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is from the Greek word christos, which bears the same meaning as Messiah, that of “anointed one.”
The Messianic Jewish Family Bible is the first and only of its kind. This exciting new Bible translation unites Old and New Covenant with a consistent Hebraic perspective.
First, I witnessed the great joy and excitement at the recent 70th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel. And then all of us who love Israel celebrated the great breakthrough of having the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem – acknowledging for the first time that Jerusalem is Israel’s legal and rightful capital.
It may be hard for us to imagine how important these developments are to Israel, except to say they’re truly historic!
But even as we celebrate, the enemies of Israel and the Jewish people have not given up. We must remain vigilant to the dangers that continue to threaten Israel. And because I believe you’re someone who loves and supports the Jewish people, I’m asking you to join me and let your voice be heard.
Won’t you please take just a few moments to share your support of Israel with your friends and family on Facebook? We've made it easy; just click here.
Israel’s security should be a concern to all Americans who understand that the Jewish State is our greatest ally in the Middle East. A strong Israel is our best chance for stability in that volatile region. I trust you agree.
But just look at what’s happening to undermine the safety and security of the Jewish people …
As a friend and partner with Jewish Voice Ministries, you know that we support Israel and encourage others to stand against anti-Semitism and pray for Jewish people.
This support is based on our belief that the reestablishment of a Jewish homeland was a key milestone in God’s plan to bless the Jewish people … and all people.
We can no longer sit by and watch as Israel’s enemies – driven by bald-faced anti-Semitism – work to isolate, destabilize and, ultimately, destroy the Jewish State.
So please add your voice to those speaking out against anti-Semitism by sharing your support on Facebook. Your views will encourage others to stay strong in the face of pressure, and support Israel.
After you share on Facebook, please give a special gift to support and protect Israel in these critical days. Now is the time for us to take a strong stand for Israel – before it’s too late.
When you give now – and I hope you’ll be moved to give generously – I’ll be pleased to send you a thank you gift as our way of saying thank you for your prayers and partnership.
Please let your voice be heard and your love take action. Share on Facebook now.
Jewish Voice Ministries shares biblical insight as to why God wants you to have a heart for Israel and the Jewish people. Take this quiz to discover how much you know about the State of Israel, the Promised Land, and God's chosen people.
