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   

 

The word "Terumah," the title of the Nineteenth Parashah in the annual Torah Cycle, has been translated in several different ways. But, just what does it mean? The first thing we need to note before we even determine what it actually means, is the fact that it was instituted by ADONAI to be an offering to Him, simply for the sake of His Name. It was not demanded, or commanded, but rather to avoid social pressure or something one would do for his own glory, it was to be a contribution of one's heart. Sh'mot 25:2 states: "Tell the people of Isra'el to take up a collection for me -accept a contribution from anyone who wholeheartedly wants to give." The word "contribute" is interesting in that implies to give along with others, as in to fund something. The Hebrew doesn't use the word "give," but rather it uses the words: וְיִקְחוּ־לִי  "And Let Them Take for Me." It should always be that just because we love G-d, we should want to take something for Him, it should be a heart issue and it should not only be contingent on commands. When we "take something" from our heart for G-d, are we not really taking it for ourselves? Rabbi Shaul in his first letter to the Messianic Community in Corinth, states in Chapter 2:9: But, as the Tanakh says, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no one's heart has imagined all the things that God has prepared for those who love him." We see then, that there is reward for not necessarily giving, but taking from our hearts something for G-d.
The word  תְּרוּמָה  "terumah,"  comes from a shoresh (root)  רוּמ which implies many things. According to the  Etymological Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew by; Matityahu Clark, based on R' Hirsch's Commentary, it means to elevate for exalted goal. Vayikra (Lev.) 6:3 uses it as to "raise or lift up," while B'resheet uses it to "dedicate." In Tehillim (Psalms) 149:6 and 66:17 it is used to mean "praising." While there is no exact English equivalent, "terumah" implies a separation as it were of one's own resources, set aside, taken for G-d, for a higher purpose.
We currently have no Tabernacle or Temple, but our bodies are now Temples of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). However, we are now sacrifices ourselves and that doesn't mean that we in and of ourselves qualify as a blood sacrifice, but rather we are living sacrifices.Romans 12:1 states: I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical "Temple worship" for you.