Posting Delays

Shalom,

We have been very busy working on some significant issues within the Synagogue. Halacha updates will be posted for discussion hopefully in the near future.

Blessings

Jewish Evangelism - Please comment as to appropriateness for UCMJS Website

Please comment as to the appropriateness of posting this on the Website. We might want to pair it with an actual statement on Evangelism of our people.

Jewish Evangelism
An open letter expressing our views and concerns

This is a very touchy subject, as reactions will vary from apathy, to outright hostility.

I hope you will not be offended, but I am going to give you our view straight. Then you can determine how to proceed.

Most Jews feel Christians only befriend them to get them “saved”, not because they want to just be friends. We have a built in bias that translates as, “they only are counting scalps”, that is, wanting to prove Christianity right by getting Jews to convert.

Many Christian groups have gone so far as to adopt Jewish symbols in an effort to woo Jews. Once the Jew decides to accept the Messiah, many Churches then actively work against the persons Jewishness, turning them into Gentiles in practice. We believe this is totally contrary to G-ds plan and is considered in the Jewish Community to be a 2^nd Holocaust (not life, but life as a Jew). Scripture never teaches a Jew to abandon Torah, eat pig, etc.

No Church or Christian should evangelize a Jew with the intent to have them no longer be a Jew or to renounce Torah.

I have no idea of your background, so bear with me. For 1700 years, people naming the name of Jesus have rejected, defamed, and in all too often cases, murdered Jews. We think this is no longer the case, but less than 65 years ago 6 million of our people were killed by a supposed “Christian” nation. This runs deep in our collective memory.

If a Jew comes to belief in Messiah, they should be encouraged to attend a Messianic Synagogue where they and their family can grow as Jews, believing on a fully Jewish Messiah. We do not believe that Jews should attend a Church.

Several key points to discussing Messiah with a Jew:

1. Love unconditionally, let them know they are your friendship has nothing to do with whether they accept Yeshua and mean it.
2. Let them know they will still be Jewish if they accept Messiah.
3. Let them know there are Messianic Synagogues where they can worship Adonai in a completely safe and Jewish fashion (some are better than others). Do not encourage them to go to a Sunday Church.
4. Let there know there is only 1 G-d, not 3, do not use the term Trinity as that is a Gentile term totally foreign and offensive to a Jew. Explaining G-d as Will (Father), W-rd (Son), and Breath (Spirit) is a 100% biblical formula that is very Jewish. Another equally good way to present it is Elohim, His Shekinah, and His Breath (Ruach). The Rabbis all agree these 3 exist and all are part of G-d, or are from G-d.
5. Let them know Yeshua was G-d’s Shekinah (visible presence) placed into a human body, not another G-d.
6. The name given to Him by Adonai is Yeshua, His mothers name was Miriam. Use these terms, also avoid church terms like saved (from what will be the response).
7. Stress that Yeshua was a 100% Torah observant Jew who never taught abandoning the Torah, or starting a new religion.
8. Stress the Church did not replace Israel in G-d’s plan; instead the Gentiles where brought close to Israel (grafted in) so they could believe in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.
9. Understand Jews believed in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob while Gentiles were still sacrificing children. A religious Jew knows he is not saved by works, but by G-ds mercy and Grace (see Yom Kippur service for details). Thus implying a Jew has no relationship to G-d is both inaccurate and insulting. Jews are, as the Pope declared, the Churches elder brother.
10. Jews generally regard Christianity as Pagan and idolatrous (depending on the group, etc.). Yeshua originally was a curse word, but now is seen by many Jews as a Good Rabbi. Paul is seen as a traitor who started a new religion.
11. Stressing Jesus is G-d is a major stumbling block. Yeshua is part of G-d, totally subservient to the Will (Father). I might add, scripture does not require you to believe He is G-d to be saved (We do believe Yeshua is G-d’s visible presence, thus Yeshua is part of G-d).
12. Remember Shema Israel Adonai Elohenu, Adonai echad – Hear o Israel, the L-rd is one G-d. That is in the Torah, given as the ultimate statement of belief in G-d (see Moses in Exodus). This is repeated 2 a day by religious Jews. Any statement that violates that will lead to your message not being received and is teaching a false religion.
13. When all else fails, see #1.

This is a long-term proposition in most cases. What you do will be much more important than what you say. If your serious about telling Jews about the Messiah, it will require study and an investment of time and love.

One of the biggest items that would help would be to visit a good Messianic Synagogue several times, this way you will have an appreciation for Jewishness and Jewish beliefs.

The books that will help are – You bring the bagels, I’ll bring the Gospel, and Michael Browns Answering Jewish Objections Vol 1 - 4. We do not agree 100% with Dr. Brown as he does not believe Jews should keep Torah. We however believe all Jews and G-d fearers should keep Torah as a sign of their allegiance to the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob.

I hope this has not been offensive, but I owed it to you, and to my people, to be upfront and honest. Sorry it was so long, but this is a serious subject that deserves detailed explanations.

Our Website is www.houseofthemessiah.com. Audio teachings are on www.cyber-synagogue.com.

Teachings especially related to those in the Church are at www.hebrewroot.com.

Blessings – Rabbi Gavri’el

Homosexuality

Shalom,

This will be a hot topic. Conservative allows ordination of homosexuals, and only forbids a specific sex act between men. What will be our approach:
1. Is homosexuality ok
2. Homosexual marriage
3. Homosexuals in the Congregation
4. Homosexual ordination

For our definition, do we include lesbianism with homosexuality in the above approaches?

Shalom

Role of Women

Shalom,

One of the areas Conservative Judaism differs from Orthodox on is the role of Women. We need to begin this discussion as it will probably be one of the most contentious.

Specifically:
1. Should women and men sit together
2. Can Women teach men
3. Should women cover hair
4. Can women be cantors
5. Can women be Rabbi's
6. Do women need a male spiritual covering

Please weigh in on these discussions. We position ourselves basically as conservative, on most issues we will lean towards Conserv-a-dox, with a couple maybe more reformed.

Blessings

The Mezuzah – Book 1 Section 11 ready for review

The Mezuzah section is ready for review and approval. Please comment immediately with any changes. Otherwise, since it is being accepted without revision, only noting Sephardic tradition also, it will be considered approved. All comments need to be made by beginning of Kislev 2 (sundown Sunday Nov 11th). If any objections are raised, this will be extended.

Please remember, this is part of the official record, so keep comments specific and helpful.

The Mezuzah – Book 1 Section 11

1. It is a Divine Command to affix a mezuzah to every door of the house. Even if one has many rooms, and in every room there are many doors for ingress and egress, one must affix a mezuzah to each one of the doors, even though only one of the doors is ordinarily used. Even if the number of tenants was reduced and only one door is being used, nevertheless, mezuzot must be affixed to all doors. If a door has been made for occasional deliveries, and there is another door for entrance and exit, no mezuzah need be affixed to the door used for deliveries. – Accepted as is RGBG

2. Mezuzot must be affixed also to the gates of courts, alleys, cities and provinces, as it is written (Deuteronomy 6:9): "And upon thy gates." – Accepted as is RGBG

3. The mezuzah must be affixed to the right hand side as one enters. If it is affixed to the left hand side, it is invalid. It must be removed and affixed to the right hand side, and the benediction repeated upon fastening it. As regards the affixing of the mezuzah, it is immaterial whether one is left-handed or right-handed. – Accepted as is RGBG

4. If there are two houses, each of which has a door opening either into the street or into a court, and the space between the two houses, too, has a door, and it is doubtful to which side of this door the mezuzah should be affixed, then we are guided by the location of the hinges, that is, the place where the hinges are affixed and toward which the door opens, is to be considered as a part of that house, and the mezuzah should accordingly be affixed to the right side where one enters. This rule applies only to a case where both houses are used equally, but if one of the two is used more frequently, then we are not to be guided by the position of the hinges, but the mezuzah must be affixed to the right side of the entrance to the house which is more often used, even though the door opens into the other house. – Accepted as is RGBG

5. The mezuzah must be affixed within the upper third of the door-post. If we affix it higher than this limit, it is valid, providing it is one hand-breadth from the lintel. But if we affix it lower than the upper one-third, it is invalid, and we must remove it, affix it to the proper place and pronounce the necessary benediction. If we place it above the one hand-breadth limit, we must remove it and affix it to the proper place without saying the benediction. It is best to affix the mezuzah within the outside hand-breadth of the door-post, but if one deviates from the rule, it does not matter. – Accepted as is RGBG

6. How should the mezuzah be affixed? We roll the parchment from the end of the sentence to the beginning, that is, from the last word Ehad (One) towards the first word Shema (Hear), so that the word Shema be on the top. Then we put it in the tube or other receptacle, and fasten it with nails to the door-post diagonally, having the top line containing the first word Shema towards the house, and the last line towards the outside. If the doorpost is not wide enough, we may fasten the mezuzah vertically. If we simply suspend the mezuzah, it is not valid. We must fasten it with nails at the top and at the bottom, so that it should not remain suspended. – Sephardic tradition allows for vertical mounting RGBG

7. Before affixing the mezuzah, we say the benediction: "Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath sanctified us by His commandments, and hath commanded us to affix the mezuzah:" If several mezuzot are to be affixed at the time, one benediction suffices for all. If a mezuzah fell off the door-post, the benediction must be repeated when we attach it again; but if we remove it in order to have it examined, it is doubtful whether or not we need repeat the benediction upon affixing it. – Accepted as is RGBG

8. Some courts have a small door by the big gate, through which people pass in and out, whereas the big gate is used only occasionally. Since these are two separate entrances, having between them a post one hand-breadth wide, a mezuzah must be affixed to each. – Accepted as is RGBG

9. In a place where we suspect that the mezuzah might be stolen, then if possible, one should make a groove in the door-post and place the mezuzah in it; but the groove must not be more than one hand-breadth deep, because if it is deeper, then the mezuzah is not on the door-post of thy house but in the door-post. One must, however, make some mark to indicate where the mezuzah is placed. If it is impossible to make a groove in the door-post, one may affix it inside the house behind the door, but it must be affixed to the doorpost and not to the wall, and it must be affixed not more than one handbreadth away from the opening of the door. If it is more than one handbreadth from the door, it is invalid. – Accepted as is RGBG

10. A house requires a mezuzah only when it measures no less than four cubits (six feet) square. If it is not square, but it occupies an area of sixteen cubits, the same as four by four, as for instance when the house is long and narrow, or it is circular, it requires a mezuzah according to the opinion of some authorities, while others hold that it does not require a mezuzah, unless it is four cubits wide. – Accepted as is RGBG

11. Only doors which have two door-posts at least ten hand-breadths high, and lintel above them, require mezuzot. Even when the door-posts are not made of special wood or stone, but the walls of the structure themselves form the door-posts and above them is the ceiling, a mezuzah must be affixed to it. If the house has only one door-post, for instance where the wall extends beyond the door on one side, like this ~~|| then if the door-post is on the left side of the entrance, no mezuzah is required; if the door-post is on the right side of the entrance, it is doubtful whether a mezuzah is required. In such a case, we should either affix the mezuzah without saying the benediction, or first affix one to a door which definitely requires a mezuzah, and then to the doubtful door. Thus the benediction said over the former, covers the latter. (See section 7, above). This rule is to be applied to all doubtful cases. – Accepted as is RGBG

12. If the two door-posts have no lintel above them, but they have an arched top, like a bow, or even if there are no door-posts at all, but the vault itself begins from the ground, then if the wall is ten hand-breadths high and four hand-breadths wide, a mezuzah must be affixed in either case. In the case of stores, where one door-post is made to reach from the ground to the lintel, but the other door-post does not reach to the lintel, but a wall is made to protrude to about a cubit (one foot and a half) or more, like this I - 1-1, then if the door-post which reaches to the upper one is to the right of the entrance, a mezuzah must be affixed to it; and if the lower door-post is to the right of the entrance, then if this door-post is ten hand-breadths high, a mezuzah must be affixed to it, but if it is less than ten hand-breadths high, it should be affixed to the wider part of the wall. – Accepted as is RGBG

13. There are some authorities who hold that if an entrance has no door, it nevertheless requires a mezuzah, and there are others who hold that there must be a door. Therefore, the mezuzah should not be affixed before the door is put in. But one should never first affix the mezuzah and put in the door thereafter, because a precept must be performed on an occasion already existing, and not perform the precept first and thereafter create the occasion for it. – Accepted as is RGBG

14. A house used as a temporary residence needs no mezuzah. Therefore, the sukkah erected for the Feast of Tabernacles, requires no mezuzah during the days of the Feast. Stores erected for the duration of a bazaar, and are thereafter, either taken apart or they remain entirely unoccupied, likewise require no mezuzah. But stores which are permanently occupied with merchandise, do require a mezuzah. – Accepted as is RGBG

15. A corridor which has three walls with a ceiling above them, and the fourth side is open, but it has two columns resembling an entrance, requires no mezuzah, because these column have not been made to serve as door-posts, but rather to support the ceiling. However, if it has a wall on the fourth side as well, although the wall is low and does not reach to the ceiling, or even though it is made up of windows, a mezuzah is required. – Accepted as is RGBG

16. A gate-house, that is, a small hut by the gate of a court in which the watchman stays, or a porch used as an entrance to an attic, a garden-hut, and a shed, require no mezuzah, because they are not used as residences. However, if a house requiring a mezuzah opens into any of these structures or into the corridor, a mezuzah must be affixed to the door leading from any of these structures into the public thoroughfare. Therefore, the gates of courts, alleys, provinces and towns require a mezuzah, since houses requiring mezuzot open into them. Even if ten houses open into one another and only the inner one requires a mezuzah, mezuzot must be affixed to the nine outer ones. Therefore, a gate opening from a garden-house into a court, does require a mezuzah. Some authorities are of the opinion that a gate-house and a porch require a mezuzah, even if there is no house opening into them. It is therefore, best to affix the mezuzah to such structures without saying the benediction. – Accepted as is RGBG

17. Bath-houses, canneries and immersion houses (containing pools for ritual purification), require no mezuzah, since they are not made for respectable dwellings. However, stables, houses where fowl are raised, barns for straw, and cellars where wine or other beverages are kept, provided they have the required legal size of a house (see section 10, above), do require mezuzot. Some authorities hold that even these are exempt from a mezuzah. – Accepted as is RGBG

18. The mezuzah in a room where children are usually found, or in a room where people at times, wash themselves or urinate, should be covered. The covering of the mezuzah suffices only when these practices are occasional, but when something for loathsome usage is regularly kept near the mezuzah, as for instance, a urinal, it does not suffice. – Accepted as is RGBG

19. A house or a court in which non-Jews as well as Jews dwell, is exempt from a mezuzah. – Accepted as is RGBG

20. A cellar having doors and door-post lying in the ground, is exempt from a mezuzah, because the term 'door-post' applies only to one standing vertically. – Accepted as is RGBG

21. If a man rents a house outside the land of Israel, he need not affix mezuzot to its doors for the first thirty days, because it is not considered a permanent dwelling. – Accepted as is RGBG

22. If a man moves from a house and it is to be occupied by another Jew, he must not remove the mezuzot, but must leave them there, and the new occupant is to pay for them. – Accepted as is RGBG

23. One must take special care to observe the precept of mezuzah, because it is a continuous obligation. Whenever we enter or leave our house, we are confronted with His name, the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. And remembering His love, we will awaken from our lethargy, and will cease going astray after the vanities of the time. We will be aware that nothing in this world endures forever, except the knowledge of the Rock of the world, and we will at once come to our senses and walk in the path of the righteous. Our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said (Menahot 43b): "He who has tefillin on his head and on his arm, tzitzit in his garment, and a mezuzah upon his door, is sure not to sin, because he has many reminders; and these are the very guardian angels who protect him from sinning, as it is written (Psalms 34:8): 'The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them."' Our Rabbis, of blessed memory said again (Shabbat 32b): "For the sin of one's failure to observe the precept of the mezuzah, one's children die when young; but the children of one who strictly observes it , will live to a ripe old age, for it is said (Deuteronomy 11:21):'That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children."' – Accepted as is RGBG

24. Because the purpose of the mezuzah is to remind us of His name, blessed be He, therefore, we should kiss the mezuzah upon leaving the house and upon entering it. But we are not allowed to put our hand upon the mezuzah proper; we must, therefore, cover the Name (Shaddai) with glass. Upon leaving the house and placing our hand on the mezuzah, we say: "The Lord is my keeper, the Lord is my shade upon my right hand; the Lord shall preserve my going out and my coming in, from this time forth and forever. – Accepted as is RGBG


25. The mezuzah of a private dwelling should be examined twice in seven years, but that of a public building should be examined only twice in a jubilee (fifty years). – Accepted as is RGBG

Revised draft of the MJ Principles of Faith

Shalom

The revised draft of the MJ Principles of Faith:
1. I believe in the 13 principles of Faith as stated by RAMBAM
2. I believe Yeshua Ha'Nazaret is the Messiah of Israel.
3. I believe Yeshua was filled by Adonai with His Shekinah (visible presence of G-d) and was totally subservient to Adonai in all things.
4. I believe Yeshua came to keep Torah and to rightly interpret Torah.
5. I believe Yeshua came to call Israel to do T'Shuvah (come back to Adonai and His Torah).
6. I believe Yeshua led a righteous life as a prophet of Israel.
7. I believe Yeshua died on the execution stake at the hand of the Romans.
8. I believe His death (similar to Isaac's bindings) reconciled us to Elohim and undid the seed of rebellion sowed by our forefather Adam (the righteous dying in place of the unrighteous).
9. I believe Yeshua was physically resurrected on the third day by Adonai to openly show that His death had reconciled Israel to Adonai.
10. I believe Yeshua is the Son of Man picture in Dani'el 7:13, whom Adonai gave all power and Authority.
11. I believe Yeshua will return physically to earth as the promised King of Israel.
12. I believe He will defeat all of Israel's enemies, usher in the Kingdom of Elohim, and rule by Adonai's will from Jerusalem as the descendant of David.
13. I believe that all of B'nai Israel will be redeemed.

I feel this one is getting very close to being usable. Now is the time to comment if you have areas needing clarification.

Suggested MJ Principles of Faith

Shalom,

Some suggestions for MJ principles to come along side the Thirteen of RamBam. Feel free to comment (please be constructive and as specific as possible, I don't like it is not helpful for discussion).

MJ Principles of Faith (draft):
1. I believe Yeshua Ha'Nazaret is the Messiah of Israel.
2. I believe Yeshua was born of woman and infused by Adonai with His Shekinah (visible presence of G-d).
3. I believe Yeshua was totally subservient to Adonai in all things, never claiming to be equal.
4. I believe Yeshua came to keep Torah and to rightly interpret Torah.
5. I believe Yeshua came to call Israel to do T'Shuvah (come back to Adonai and His Torah).
6. I believe Yeshua led a righteous life as a prophet of Israel.
7. I believe Yeshua died on the execution stake at the hand of the Romans.
8. I believe His death (similar to Isaac's bindings) reconciled us to Elohim and undid the seed of rebellion sowed by our forefather Adam (the righteous dying in place of the unrighteous).
9. I believe Yeshua was physically resurrected on the third day by Adonai to openly show that His death had reconciled Israel to Adonai.
10. I believe Yeshua is the Son of Man picture in Dani'el 7:13, whom Adonai gave all power and Authority.
11. I believe Yeshua will return physically to earth as the promised King of Israel.
12. I believe He will defeat all of Israel's enemies, usher in the Kingdom of Elohim, and rule by Adonai's will from Jerusalem as the descendant of David.
13. I believe that all of B'nai Israel will be redeemed.

Shulchan Aruch Books & Sections Listing

Shalom,

Now it's time to dive in and begin the review process. See previously published blog entry below for how the review will be accomplished.

An important note, do not get impatient, this will take a long time to complete.

There are 221 sections. The goal is each approved reviewer is to pick a section and review in detail. They then classify each portion of the decision either: appropriate without revision, or needing review. All sections will be approved by at least 2 reviewers. All changes must be agreed upon by the Beit Din after open discussion and posting for comments on the revision.
Example:
The Mezuzah - Book 1 Section 11
1. It is a Divine Command to affix a mezuzah to every door of the house. Even if one has many rooms, and in every room there are many doors for ingress and egress, one must affix a mezuzah to each one of the doors, even though only one of the doors is ordinarily used. Even if the number of tenants was reduced and only one door is being used, nevertheless, mezuzot must be affixed to all doors. If a door has been made for occasional deliveries, and there is another door for entrance and exit, no mezuzah need be affixed to the door used for deliveries. - Accept as is (RGBG)
2. Mezuzot must be affixed also to the gates of courts, alleys, cities and provinces, as it is written (Deuteronomy 6:9): "And upon thy gates." - Accept as is (RGBG)

Remember this is the most widely held authority on Orthodox Halacha, changes as incorporated in Conservative Halacha are appropriate to note as you go through each section. This is a living effort, as Halacha must continue to provide guidance as time and situations change.

Here are the major divisions, select which area you want to review. RGBG will determine in the event of a tie, who reviews that section.

BOOK I

1 Conduct Rising in the Morning
2 Hand Washing in the Morning
3 On Dressing and Deportment
4 Rules of Decency
5 Cleanness of Places
6 Laws Relating to benediction
7 The Morning benediction
8 From Dawn Until Praying
9 The Tzitzit (Fringes)
10 The Tefillin (Phylacteries)
11 The Mezuzah
12 Purity for Holding Services
13 Sanctity of the Synagogue
14 Special Verses of Psalms
15 Kaddish, Minyan and Hazan
16 The Shema and Benedictions
17 Reading of Shema
18 The Shemoneh Esreh
19 Mashiv Haruah and Tal Umatar
20 Repetition - Shemoneh Esreh
21 Making Up Omitted Prayers
22 The Tahanun
23 The Reading of The Torah
24 Errors and Defects in a Torah
25 Ashre Uva Letziyon
26 The Mourner's Kaddish
27 The Study of the Torah
28 Scroll and Other Holy Books
29 Moral Laws
30 Talebearing and Vengeance
31 For the Sake of Heaven
32 Concern Physical Wellbeing
33 Dangerous Things Forbidden
34 Laws Concerning Charity
35 The Separation Of Hallah
36 The Salting of Meat
37 The Immersion of Vessels
38 Food of a Non-Jew
39 Eating and Drink Before Meals
40 Washing Hands Before Meals
41 Breaking Bread and Hamotzi
42 Laws Concerning Meals
43 Special Courses During Meals
44 Washing, Grace after Meals
45 Formal Grace (3 or more)
46 Forbidden Foods
47 Non-Jewish Wine

BOOK II

48 Benedictions - The Five Species
49 Benedictions - Wine/HatovVehametiv
50 Benedictions - Before Enjoying Food/Drink
51 The Concluding Benediction
52 Benedictions - etz/adamah/Shehakol
53 Benedictions - Soup, Fruit, Vegetable Extracts
54 Principal and Accessory Foods
55 Order of Precedence of Benedictions
56 Benedictions Pronounced Erroneously
57 Food Served More Than Intended
58 Benediction Over Fragrance
59 Benedictions Over Joy/Grief
60 Benedictions Sights in Nature
61 Benediction Hagomel
62 Concerning Commerce
63 Wronging by Means of Words
64 Dealing In Forbidden Objects
65 Interest on Loans
66 Agreements to Trade in Business
67 Vows and Oaths
68 Concerning Prayers When Traveling
69 Minhah (Afternoon) Service
70 Maariv (Evening) Service
71 Order of the Night
72 Holiness of the Sabbath
73 Work Done by a Non-Jew on the Sabbath
74 Embarking on a Vessel on the Sabbath
75 The Sabbath Candles
76 Prayers on Sabbath and Festivals
77 Kiddush and the Sabbath Meals
78 Torah Reading on Sabbath and Festivals
79 Laws Concerning Maftir
80 Labors Forbidden on the Sabbath
81 Four Premises with Regard to Sabbath
82 Removing Things From One Premise Into Another
83 Enclosure of Spaces
84 Carrying Garments/Ornaments on the Sabbath
85 If a Fire Breaks Out on the Sabbath
86 Bathing on the Sabbath
87 Resting of Cattle on the Sabbath
88 Muktzeh things on the Sabbath
89 Concerning a Base for Things Forbidden
90 Not Actual Work- Through A Non-Jew
91 One in Pain, not Critically ill
92 One Who is Critically ill
93 Laws Concerning Childbirth
94 Inter-community of Courts
95 Inter-community of Boundaries
96 Maariv Service and the Havdalah
97 Rosh Hodesh (New Moon)

BOOK III

98 Laws Concerning Festivals
99 No Handling on Festivals
100 Birkat Kohanim
101 Prepare Foods for 2nd Day
102 Eruv Tavshilin
103 Rejoicing on a Festival
104 Hol Hammoed
105 Forbidden Requiring Exertion
106 During Hol Hammoed
107 Month of Nisan
108 Wheat for the Matzah
109 Water for the Matzah
110 Kneading/Baking Matzah
111 Search for Chometz
112 Leaven on Pesach
113 Day before baking Matzah
114 The Selling of Chametz
114f The Form of Agreement
115 Before Pesah on Sabbath
116 Purification of Vessels
117 Laws Concerning Pesah
118 Pesach Night seder
119 Pesach Night cont..
120 Sefirah &The Omer
121 Public Fast Days
122 Interval - 3Weeks
123 Day before 9 Av
124 Ninth of Av
125 9AV on weekends
126 Destruction - Temple
127 Private Fast Days
128 Yom Kippur Eve
129 Rosh Hashanah
130 The Ten Days of Penitence
131 Day Before Yom Kippur
132 Yom Kippur Eve
133 Yom Kippur
134 Sukkos Tabernacles
135 Dwelling in the Sukkah
136 Lulav and other Species
137 Lulav and the Hakkafot
138 Hoshana; Shemini; Simhat
139 Chanukah
140 4 Parshiot of ADAR
141 Purim and Megillas Rus
142 Gifts to the Poor (Purim)

BOOK IV

143 Honor Father | Mother
144 Honor Due the Respectful
145 Laws of Marriage
146 Bridegroom and Bride
147 The Nuptial Ceremony
148 Privacy Following Ceremony
149 Grace at Weddings
150 Laws of Chastity
151 Semen in Vain
152 Prohibition Alone With Women
153 Menstrually Unclean
154 Regulations of the Menses
155 Separation uncleanness
156 Blood Resulting of Cohabitation
157 Prenuptial Laws
158 Childbirth and Miscarriage
159 White Linen/Clean Days
160 Shampoo the Hair
161 Constitutes Interposition
162 Immersion
163Law of Circumcision
164 Redemption of the Firstborn
165 Training of Children
166 Enchantment Superstition
167 Laws Concerning Idolatry
168 Images That Are Forbidden
169 Tattooing and Depilation
170 Shaving Temples and Beard
171 Forbidden Crossdressing
172 Laws Concerning New Crop
173 Law of Orlah
174 Grafting of Trees
175 Interbreeding of Cattle
176 Laws Concerning Shatnez
177 Firstborn of Clean Animals
178 Firstborn of an Ass
179 Laws Concerning Loans
180 Debts in the Sabbatical Year
181 Litigation and Testimony
182 Laws Theft and Robbery
183 Damages to Property
184 If One Causes Physical Injury
185 Borrowing and Hiring
186 Muzzling of Animals
187 Articles Lost and Found
188 Laws Concerning Bailments
189 Unloading and Loading
190 Protection Life Property
191 Cruelty to Animals
192 Sick and the Physician
193 Visiting the Sick
194 Dying and the Body
195 Rending of the Garments
196 Concerning an Onan
197 Belonging to the Dead
198 Removal of the Corpse
199 Interment - Cemetery
200 Burial on a Festival
201 Suicide and the Wicked
202 Defilement of a Kohen
203 Whom Mourning Observed
204 When Mourning Begins
205 Meal of Condolence
206 Timely - Delayed News
207 Comforting the Mourners
208 Work a Mourner is Forbidden
209 Prohibitions to Mourners
210 Study and Greetings - Mourners
211 Mourner May Not Do
212 Things Forbidden After Shiva
213 The Marriage of a Mourner
214 Mourner May Leave His House
215 Excessive Grief
216 7/13 Mourning Days
217 Neglecting to Mourn
218 Testimony Relating to Mourning
219 Mourning on a Sabbath
220 Mourning Voided on Festival
221 Fasting on Yahrzeit

Blessings

MJ principles of Faith

The MJ principles of Faith that was proposed. It should clearly recognize RAMBAMS 13 principles and also add specific verbage concerning Messiah.

Please list the appropriate sections we should have.

Replace Nicene Creed?

Shalom,

Since we seem to agree that the Nicene Creed does not reflect a Jewish view on Messiah and has text that separates us from our people, do we agree to replace it with a MJ principles of Faith (which is to work alongside RAMBAM, not in place of)?

Please answer to record the decision.

Plans for driving Halacha discussion

Shalom,

The goal as we move forward on Halacha is to conform as much as possible to existing Halacha. Thus I'd like to propose the following approach. This needs to be a open, upfront discussion allowing interested parties to examine the process and arguments openly.

If anyone is interested in helping with this project, please email RGBG at info@ucmjs.com.

Source Documents
Primary:
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Emet Ve-Emunah - Statement of Principles for Conservative Judaism

Secondary:
Mishnah Berurah
Talmud
MJRC Halacha
Other sources as needed

Lets begin with the Shulchan Aruch by dividing up sections by person: TrueJew, James, D'vorah, MDB & RGBG. Review the section noting any potential areas of conflict. Items not flagged as potential conflict can be reviewed and then accepted as is. This approach works because the items are already accepted by the Jewish Community. Items in conflict need to be reviewed to verify these need additional discussion.

Items not in conflict will be added as they are reviewed.

Items in conflict will be listed and 1 or more proposals on how to address will be submitted. These will then be reviewed, discussed, and a joint consensus sought. If consensus reached, issue & proposal plus comments will be open for others to comment on. If no consensus reached, item will be listed as open pending further discussion.

Any item not conforming to either existing Orthodox or Conservative Halacha needs to be listed, discussed (openly with posted notes), and if possible, decided upon.

Is this a good approach?

Rambam's 13 Principles of Faith

Shalom,

Here is our take on the 13 principles by RamBam, please comment on our additons. Is anything else needed?

THE RAMBAM'S 13 PRINCIPLES
OF FAITH

1. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is the Creator and Ruler of all things. He alone has made, does make, and will make all things.

2. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is One. There is no unity that is in any way like His. He alone is our G-d He was, He is, and He will be. (We as Messianic Jews believe that Messiah is the Word & Shekinah of G-d and thus is His visible presence. In no way do we believe there is more than one G-d.)

3. I believe with perfect faith that G-d does not have a body. physical concepts do not apply to Him. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles Him at all.

4. I believe with perfect faith that G-d is first and last.

5. I believe with perfect faith that it is only proper to pray to G-d. One may not pray to anyone or anything else.

6. I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are true.

7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses is absolutely true. He was the chief of all prophets, both before and after Him.

8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that we now have is that which was given to Moses.

9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will never be another given by G-d.

10. I believe with perfect faith that G-d knows all of man's deeds and thoughts. It is thus written (Psalm 33:15), "He has molded every heart together, He understands what each one does."

11. I believe with perfect faith tha G-d rewards those who keep His commandments, and punishes those who transgress Him.

12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day. (We as Messianic Jews believe in the return of the Messiah and await His coming everyday)

13. I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G-d wills it to happen.