Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Messianic Synagogue?

A messianic synagogue is one which affirms messiahship of Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth).

At Beit HaShofar, we gather for Torah (“instruction”), avodah (“worship”), and gemilut hasadim (“deeds of lovingkindness”). In this way, we are very much like congregations you would find in any Jewish community. And like any synagogue, we are a “Bet Knesset”, a place where the congregation assembles and addresses community needs, a “Bet Tefillah”, a place where we pray together, and a “Bet Midrash”, where we study our heritage and transmit it to the next generation.

Those who have visited or participated in the wider Jewish community find much that is familiar at Beit HaShofar— our liturgy, our ritual, and our festival observances.  Beit HaShofar provides a genuine synagogue atmosphere for the messianic community.

As a messianic synagogue, we affirm our confidence that Yeshua of Nazareth is the Messiah promised in the Tenakh (commonly called the “Old Testament”), and our acceptance of the New Covenant Scriptures in addition to the Tenakh as G-d’s revelation to Israel and the nations.

DO YOU HAVE TO BE JEWISH TO ATTEND SERVICES?

We receive many inquiries regarding non-Jews attending services at a messianic synagogue. The body of believers practicing Messianic Judaism consists of both Jewish and non-Jewish believers of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). This movement is unique in that both Jew and non-Jew worship and study together.The prophet Isaiah told of a time when God-fearing people from the Nations would worship in His House of Prayer:

And foreigners who bind themselves to HaShem to serve him, to love the name of HaShem, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-- these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:6-7)