HEBREW GLOSSARY
Abba – Father (intimate term for God, like “Daddy”)
Adonai – My Lord (a respectful substitute for God’s name)
Aleinu – “It is our duty” – a traditional closing prayer
Amen – So be it / Truly / I agree
Baruch Atah Adonai – Blessed are You, Lord
Baruchot – Blessings
Boker Tov – Good morning
B’rit Chadashah – New Covenant / New Testament
Chesed – Lovingkindness, grace, steadfast love
Chag Sameach – Happy Holiday / Joyous Festival
Elohim – God
Haftarah – Reading from the Prophets
Hallelujah – Praise the Lord
Havdalah – Ceremony that ends Shabbat
Kadosh – Holy / Set apart
Kiddush – Blessing over the wine
Kippah – Skullcap (also called yarmulke)
L’chaim – To life! (common toast)
Mashiach / Messiah – Anointed One (Yeshua)
Mezuzah – Scripture scroll on the doorpost
Mikvah – Ritual immersion / baptism
Motzi – Blessing over bread
Olam HaBa – The World to Come
Parasha / Parshah – Weekly Torah portion
Pesach – Passover
Ruach HaKodesh – The Holy Spirit
Shabbat – Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset)
Shalom – Peace / Hello / Goodbye
Shema – “Hear, O Israel” – central declaration of faith
Shofar – Ram’s horn trumpet
Simcha – Joy, gladness, celebration
Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles / Booths
Tallit – Prayer shawl
Tanakh – Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets, Writings)
Tefillah – Prayer
Teshuvah – Repentance / Returning to God
Tikkun Olam – Healing the world
Torah – Instruction / Teaching (first five books of the Bible)
Tzadakah – Righteous giving / Charity
Tzitzit – Fringes on the corners of a tallit
Yeshua – Jesus (Hebrew name meaning “Salvation”)
Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement
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Frequently Asked Questions
SERVICES
What time do your services start, and how long do they usually last? Our Shabbat services begin at 10:00 AM and typically last about 2.5-3 hours. We encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to enjoy coffee and fellowship.
What does a typical Shabbat service at Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue look like? Our services include joyful worship in Hebrew and English, traditional prayers and blessings, reading of the Torah and Haftarah portions, a relevant teaching from Rabbi Ryan Stough, and a time of fellowship afterward. The atmosphere is warm, reverent, and family-friendly.
Do I need to know Hebrew or be familiar with Jewish traditions to attend a service? No. Everything is translated into English, and we provide transliterations for Hebrew prayers. We are very understanding of newcomers and happy to help you follow along. No prior experience is necessary.
What is the dress code? How should I dress when visiting? We have no strict dress code. Most people dress respectfully but comfortably — “Springfield” casual is perfect. You will see everything from jeans to business casual. Come as you are and feel at home.
Are visitors and newcomers welcome to participate in the service, or should we just observe? Visitors are always welcome to participate at whatever level feels comfortable. You may stand, sit, sing, or simply observe. No one will pressure you. We love having guests!
Do you offer children’s ministry, nursery, or any programs for families during services? Not at this time. However, we do have a nursery for little ones when they get fussy or need a little distraction. We love families and want children to grow in their faith in a fun, safe environment.
MESSIANIC SYNAGOGUE
What exactly is a Messianic Synagogue? A Messianic Synagogue is a congregation where Jewish people and Gentile believers worship the God of Israel together while honoring the Jewish heritage of our faith and proclaiming Yeshua (Jesus) as the promised Messiah of Israel. We follow a synagogue-style format rather than a traditional church format, blending ancient Biblical practices with heartfelt worship.
Do you believe in Jesus? If so, why do you call yourselves a synagogue instead of a church? Yes, we fully believe in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah. We use the name “synagogue” because we desire to maintain the Biblical and Jewish context of the early followers of the Messiah. The first believers met in synagogues and homes, not church buildings. We are a synagogue that recognizes Yeshua as the fulfillment of the Torah and the Prophets.
As a Jewish person, can I feel comfortable here, or is this really just a church for Gentiles who like Jewish traditions? You are very welcome here. Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue was created to be a safe, familiar, and honoring place for Jewish people to explore Yeshua without pressure or loss of Jewish identity. Many of our members are Jewish, and we respect and celebrate Jewish life and heritage.
Do you still follow the Torah, keep the Biblical feasts, and observe Shabbat? Yes. We believe the Torah is God’s loving instruction for His people. We observe the Biblical Shabbat on Saturday, celebrate all the Biblical feasts (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, etc.), and study the weekly Torah portion. These practices draw us closer to the God of Israel and help us understand Yeshua more deeply.
How is Messianic Judaism different from traditional Judaism and from Christianity? Messianic Judaism is the natural continuation of the faith of the Apostles. We differ from traditional (Rabbinic) Judaism in that we believe Yeshua is the Messiah. We differ from most Christian churches in that we maintain a distinctly Jewish expression of worship, keep the Biblical calendar, and honor the Torah and Jewish heritage of our faith.
If I’m a Gentile (non-Jewish) believer, am I truly welcome here, or is this only for Jewish people? Absolutely! Gentiles are warmly welcomed and highly valued at Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue. We believe Jew and Gentile are one in Messiah. You do not need to become Jewish to belong here — only to love the God of Israel and His Messiah.
ISRAEL
1. Why does Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue care so much about Israel? We love Israel because the God of Israel loves Israel. The Jewish people are God’s chosen people, and the land of Israel is the inheritance He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our love for Israel flows from our love for the God of the Bible.
2. What is your position on replacement theology (the idea that the Church has replaced Israel)? We completely reject replacement theology. God’s covenants with the Jewish people are everlasting. Replacement theology is a false teaching, and we stand firmly against it.
3. Do you believe God is still faithful to His covenants with the Jewish people? Yes. God’s covenants with Abraham and the nation of Israel are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We see His faithfulness clearly in the regathering of the Jewish people to their land.
4. How do you view the modern State of Israel in light of Bible prophecy? We see the rebirth of Israel in 1948 and the return of the Jewish people as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy (Ezekiel 36–37). We believe this is part of God’s end-time plan.
5. What does the Bible say about the Jewish people returning to their land? The Scriptures promise that God would scatter the Jewish people and then regather them in the last days (Deuteronomy 30, Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 37). We are witnessing this restoration today.
6. Is there a growing Messianic Jewish community living in Israel today? Yes! There is a vibrant and growing Messianic Jewish community in Israel — thousands of Jewish believers in Yeshua living in the Land, worshiping in Hebrew, and serving Israeli society.
7. Does your congregation stand with Israel during times of conflict? Yes. We stand with Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), especially during times of war or terrorism.
8. How does Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue support Israel and the Jewish people practically? We support Israel through prayer, giving to trustworthy ministries, humanitarian projects, and teaching our people to bless the Jewish people.
9. Can Gentile believers have a meaningful relationship with Israel through this synagogue? Yes. Both Jewish and Gentile believers can learn about, pray for, and bless Israel together through our congregation.
10. Why is loving Israel and the Jewish people important for all believers in Yeshua? Because our faith is rooted in the God of Israel and the Jewish Messiah. Blessing Israel is both spiritual obedience and a response to the grace we have received (Genesis 12:3).
11. How does Children of Jacob Messianic Synagogue view the relationship between Jewish and Arab people in the land of Israel? We believe God loves both Jewish and Arab people. We pray for genuine peace and reconciliation between Jews and Arabs in the land. While we stand firmly with Israel’s right to exist and defend herself, we also pray for the salvation and well-being of Arab people, including Palestinians, and long to see both communities living in safety and blessing.
12. Do you pray for or support peace between Jews and Arabs in Israel? Yes. We regularly pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for true, lasting peace in the land. We believe real peace will only come through the Prince of Peace, Yeshua the Messiah. We rejoice that Arab Israelis are coming to faith in Yeshua, serving alongside Jewish believers in the IDF, holding public office, and living with equal freedoms in the land.
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