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   

 

This weeks parashah deals with many topics, all of which are meaningful and have application to our lives today. I have always asserted that Yisra'el and their sojurnings in the wilderness, constitute a picture of the Redeemed Body of Messiah. We too are on a journey to a Promised Land, and yes we too face hardships and struggles along this path.
Sometimes we lose sight of our destination, our hopes and our promises, and when this happens our halachah of faith wanes and is slowly diminished. If left unchecked, this condition will bring us back to Egypt and we once again become enslaved to the very things that we been redeemed from. Our talk, our complaining and k'vetching each time we encounter hardships now becomes an evil in the ears of ADONAI, and He responds.

B'midbar 11:1~2 states: But the people began complaining about their hardships to ADONAI. When ADONAI heard it, his anger flared up, so that fire from ADONAI broke out against them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. Then the people cried to Moshe, Moshe prayed to ADONAI, and the fire abated. 
In B'midbar 21:4~7 we read: Then they traveled from Mount Hor on the road toward the Sea of Suf in order to go around the land of Edom; but the people's tempers grew short because of the detour. The people spoke against God and against Moshe: "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? To die in the desert? There's no real food, there's no water, and we're sick of this miserable stuff we're eating!" In response, ADONAI sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit the people, and many of Isra'el's people died. The people came to Moshe and said, "We sinned by speaking against ADONAI and against you. Pray to ADONAI that he rid us of these snakes." Moshe prayed for the people.

Moshe, in his role of leadership here in both of these situations has no problem whatsoever in making an association between the people's sinful murmuring with evil speaking and the punishment meted out to them by ADONAI, in the form of fire and poisonous snakes. There is however, a common denominator if you will, that in both cases here, the repair and restoration comes as a direct result of prayer.
Ya'akov 5:15~16 reiterates this important prayer principle stating: The prayer offered with trust will heal the one who is ill - the Lord will restore his health; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

P.S.  Please remember to pray for your leaders too!