Shalom! Welcome to the website of Adat Eytz Chayim (Tree of Life) Messianic Jewish Congregation. We are a congregation of Jewish and non~Jewish people who believe that Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is the Son of G-D, the long awaited Messiah of Yisra'el. 

As such, we conduct our services in more of a Jewish context, incorporating many elements of a synagogue style of worship. Typically our services begin with a liturgical worship time of singing praise songs in Hebrew and in English. Accompanying this element of liturgy, is the ministry of Davidic Worship, which we believe was (see "Sh'mot"  Exodus Ch 15:20-21) and is a formidable expression of worship through the means of dance. We then proceed to the liturgical element of worship in an order as demonstrated through the use of the siddurim (prayerbooks). We have chosen to use the MESSIANIC SHABBAT SIDDUR as compiled by; Jeremiah Greenberg, Director of Messianic Liturgical Resources, for that purpose. This siddur, by design, is in a wonderful, user friendly Hebrew/English format. In addition to these resources, we have chosen to use exclusively the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), as translated by David H. Stern, published by; Jewish New Testament Publications Inc. We are comfortable with this version of Scripture for many reasons. Primary in our appreciation is the sensitivity of language used for the Jewish reader, as well as an enhanced understanding of text for those seeking to embrace the Hebrew root of their faith. Along with these reasons, we appreciate the layout of the Torah (first five books) and its adherance to the traditional Parashot (portions) and the Haftarot (conclusion) portions utilizing the annual or yearly cycle of reading. As a bonus, the Complete Jewish Bible offers the suggested B'rit Chadashah (New Covenant) readings in conjunction with the traditional texts.

As a Messianic Jewish congregation, we are observant to the "moadei ADONAI" designated/appoinments of ADONAI  and the "mikraei kodesh" holy convocations, as outlined for us in Vayikra (Leviticus) Ch 23. We are also observant by the grace of ADONAI to be obedient to all of His laws and rulings to the best of our Spirit led abilities, as they may be applicable to our lives today. Knowing that people are at various levels of spiritual maturity, our desire is to teach and encourage them in an adherance to the dietary laws also as applicable.

You might ask; "Are we under the Law?" Let me say this: We all have the "yetzer hara" evil inclination or evil imagination in us (see B'resheet Genesis 6:5), and by G-D'S grace we can obtain Yeshua (salvation). However, even though we are sinners saved by grace, if we choose a life of grace only (I call this: "living in Graceland") this grace quickly becomes a spiritual band~aid, and we will tend to use it to cover all of our afflictions. Grace alone (unmerited favor that ADONAI has for us) does not do away with the mitzvote (commands) that are applicable to our lives today, as a matter of fact, grace alone is a form of "lawlessness." When we receive Yeshua into our hearts and we qualify to receive the Ruach HaChodesh (Holy Spirit), it is then that we become enabled to be as observant to        G-D'S laws as we are led. As a dear brother said recently (not a direct quote): "We do not become obedient to G-D'S laws to be saved, we desire obedience to Him because we are saved!"

Our desire as a Messianic Jewish congregation is multi-faceted, but of primary importance is the spiritual education of our children and those who honestly seek to inquire. We want to have a part in building the Body of Messiah in an effort to enlarge the Kingdom. Please see "About Us" Who We Are, for a Statement of Purpose and our "Statement of Faith." We will continue to provide additional information on this site as development continues.

Shalom uv'racha (Peace and blessing)

"p'ri tzadik eytz chayim (The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,)

v'lokeach n'fashot chacham" (and he who is wise wins souls.)  

Mishlei (Proverbs) 11:30 CJB  :פְּרִי-צַדִּיק עֵץ חַיִּים וְלֹקֵחַ נְפָשׁוֹת חָכָם   

 

We've been talking now for some time about G-D's instructions to us to be holy, which ultimately is being restored in our relationship to Him. This act of restoration as we have discussed can be effectively accomplished by various means that share a common denominator. That commonality is in our being obedient to His mitzvos (commands) for our lives as outlined in His Word. As we all know, a completely restored relationship with G-D doesn't happen overnight, but as we mature in our spirituality this restoration becomes more of a journey.
Hopefully all of us are on this journey, and if we could somehow map out the path, we would find out that each of us are in a different location. For the most part, this is normal as long as we don't make this place an extended rest stop, but strive in our desire to go forward. In defining this journey it is best simply stated as "our walk" or as we say in Hebrew, our halachah." The root here is halach meaning to walk, depart, travel, and journey. It never means: to stand still.
In Tehillim 56:13~14 we read the words of David concerning his journey: "G-D, I have made vows to You; I will fulfill them with thank offerings to You. For You rescued me from death, You kept my feet from stumbling, so that I can walk in G-D's Presence, in the Light of Life."

After the sin of Adam and Chavah in Gan Edan, there existed a relationship between man and G-D that was severed. It states in B'resheet 3:8: "They heard the voice of ADONAI, G-D, (mit'halech ba'gan)walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, so the man and his wife hid themselves from the Presence of ADONAI." Shortly thereafter, man was driven from Gan Edan, and hence begins the journey of a complete restoration between man and G-D. G-D does His part, do we do ours?

This weeks parashah B'chukkotai deals with this walk. Let's begin by READING VAYIKRA CH. 26:3. There are two statements made here in vs 3, and for the sake of clarity, we need to look at the Hebrew text and then translate. It says in the Hebrew: eem b'chukko-tye te-le-choo This is the first statement which literally means; "if you walk in My laws," implying G-D's laws and commandments as the right path of life, and at the same time conveying the imagery of a journey (root of lalekhet to walk or embark on journey)

The second statement of verse 3 reads: v'et~mitz-vo-tye tish-meroo va-a-see-tem o'tahm" or literally "observe My mitzvot (commands) and obey them." with the two verbs observe and obey reinforcing each other yielding the sense of a complete or thorough observance done faithfully. Reading it again, using the literal text as explained, it sounds like this: "If you walk in My Laws; observe My mitzvot and obey them," then the blessings come READ VS. 4-13

So the parashah opens with G-D's call to B'nei Yisra'el corporately and the promise of His blessings on them as a result of their walking or taking a journey with His laws. As a result "blessing will come to fruition through journey."