FAQs
A list of frequently asked questions is below.
Theological Questions
Q: I see you believe in Maimonides’ thirteen principles of faith. Is there anything you would add to that list?
A: Yes.
- 14. We believe with perfect faith that Yeshua ben Yoseph HaNetzaret, is the Messiah of Israel in full accordance with what is revealed about him in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.
- 15. We believe with perfect faith that the Writings of Yeshua’s disciples are included with the Writings of the TaNaKh, and that no barrier or label, such as “New Testament,” can exist to separate them.
Q: Do you believe in Jesus?
A: We are disciples of Yeshua, which is His Aramaic name. His Hebrew name is Yehoshua. Transliterated into Greek, His Aramaic name is IESOUS, His Greek name transliterated into Latin is IESUS, and His Latin name transliterated into English is Jesus. We prefer to use His original name in the Aramaic, which is Yeshua. He is the Messiah of Israel, and the Savior of all mankind.
Q: Do you believe Jesus is G-d?
A: Many orthodox Jews, and even some Christians ask us if we believe Yeshua is G-d. We respond that we agree with what is written concerning G-d that:
- G-d is not a man. (Numbers 23:19)
- And we have have no other King, Savior, or Redeemer than HaShem. (1 Samuel 8:7, Exodus 15:2, Exodus 6:6)
- Yet HaShem is a man of war, HaShem is his name. (Exodus 15:3)
- And Yehoshua is the name of HaShem. (Exodus 33:11,12)
- And Yeshua (Aramaic name of Yehoshua) is the Messiah, and He is our King, Savior, and Redeemer. (Numbers 27:16-18, Matthew 1:16, Acts 13:23, Galatians 3:14)
It must be understand that if we want to agree solely with scripture alone, then we can not add anything more, for we would be adding something that G-d in His wisdom never thought to put explicitly in the scriptures. This means we are not G-d, so we are not going to say that which He didn’t say and make declarations that He never did. This is important. We can and do acknowledge the divinity of Messiah as taught from the Torah, and we can declare our agreement with scripture that HaShem is our King, Savior, and Redeemer; yet we can not make a declaration in the reverse that says the Divine is Yeshua, or that G-d is Yeshua. We instead can and should agree with Torah that Yeshua is the name of the Word of HaShem, and that the Savior of Israel is HaShem, and thus by inference we can say that Yeshua is HaShem G-d, and is thus the corporeal manifestation of HaShem. The proofs for this are taught in many places of the Torah and simply confirmed in the scriptures that follow. Beyond scripture, one can be in danger of adding to the Torah, and of leaping into idolatry. This is true for anyone, Jew or otherwise, who uses the Torah to justify their beliefs. It is instead hoped that one would simply let the Torah teach them what to believe. How we say things must line up with scriptural exegesis, and not with our own imaginations and thus eisegesis.
Q: Are you Christians or Jews?
A: We are Jews, and converts to Judaism. “Christian” is a label that was given to the early followers of Yeshua by their persecutors in the 1st Century, yet were still considered a sect of Judaism. By the same application, we are a sect of Judaism, and our members are Jewish in full accordance with Jewish halacha.
Q: What scriptures do you hold to as inspired by HaShem?
A: Genesis through 2nd Chronicles (Protestant Bible: Genesis through Malachi), and Matthew through Revelation.
Q: Do you ever use the sacred name of G-d?
A: No. Such usage makes common a name we are commanded to keep holy. We use only “Adonai” during scripture reading and liturgy. We use “HaShem” at all other times.
Q: What is considered appropriate dress?
A: Guests who are unfamiliar with visiting an orthodox Jewish synagogue often find themselves in a bit of culture shock when visiting Shorshay. Don’t worry, this is normal. We don’t have many expectations for guests beyond asking that they come dressed in casual or dress attire considered appropriate for a religious function. Be aware that modest casual dress attire or more is considered appropriate since we desire to honor the sanctity of the Sabbath by what we wear. As with most other Jewish synagogues, men of bar mitzvah age (13) or older wear a tallit (worn both evening and morning services) and a kippah. Talliot and kippot are available at the door if you don’t have one. Men also wear tzitzit with kosher techelet attached to a tallit katan. Women wear a head covering of some sort, which are also provided at the door.
Q: Do you keep kosher?
A: We teach the fullness of the Torah and therefore we teach, advocate and adhere to the following:
- The prohibition of the obvious consumption of unclean, abominable and prohibited animals.
- Consuming only glatt kosher meats, which includes all aspects of proper slaughter and butchering of all meats.
- Not cooking, consuming, or deriving a benefit from the combination of milk and meat.
- Requiring a hechsher (accepted kosher symbol) on all processed foods.
- Kashering all utensils, dishware and cookware. This also requires having separate kosher sets for milk meals and meat meals.
Q: Do you celebrate Christian holidays such as Christmas, or Easter?
A: No. We only celebrate Scripturally commanded holy days. Neither Christmas or Easter are the actual days for the events they propose to celebrate, nor are they scriptural worship practices. We, rather, celebrate the various Feasts of HaShem as outlined in the scriptures in accordance with the Orthodox Jewish calendar.