A melitz yosher is an advocate, someone who pleads for mercy on behalf of those who need an advocate. The idea of mediating for a person or people in need in the heavenly courts is an ancient in the Jewish tradition.
As Mashiach Yeshua, the melitz yosher gadol, stands in the breach for us, may those who join Melitz Yosher embody that spirit of compassion, concern and diligence in praying for the concerns, needs and healing for those in our midst and those separated by distance.
If we give our traditional prayer book a glance, we see that there are numerous prayers for help, either for the supplicant, or for other Israelites:
"Ana B'koach, gedulat y'mincha" (We beg you! With the strength of Your right hand's greatness)
Tachanun (Supplication). The paragraph near the end of the Amidah (Elohai nezor l'shoni mei-rah) asks for protection and ends with "Let your right hand save and respond to me," from Psalm 60:7
Zohar (Vayakhel 360a) prayer before the open ark, before the Torah is taken out
Mishebeirakh (prayer for a sick person) during the Amidah and before final Torah procession
Date: 2nd Wednesday of each month (usually) at 7pm
Place: Panama Hotel/Tea House in Seattle
(in international district: http://www.panamahotelseattle.com/teahouse.htm)
Fee: $2 per game to be given to a local charity
If you have a Mah Jongg set, please bring it!
Also, food will be available for purchase. We like to support the teahouse through our food/drink purchases so they welcome us back. Schmooze, nosh and Mah Jongg with us! All are welcome.
Why Mah Jongg? It's the Jewish thing to do!
You might be asking why a game, originating in China, would be such a popular game among American Jewry. From Shanghai to Miami Beach, we see Mah Jongg tournaments and many organizations sponsoring Mah Jongg related events in order to drum up charity. But how, and why, did it find its way into Jewish communities?
The word tzemakh literally means aplant in the sense of its ability to sprout, thrive and grow. In the Shmoneh Esrei's blessing of the messianic rule, our sidur refers to Mashiach as את צמח דוד(Et tzemakh David), The plant of David. Rabbi Nosson Scherman in his commentary on the sidur notes that this messianic reference implies that the "redemption [of Mashiach] is like the barely noticeable daily growth of a plant." (ArtScroll sidur pg. 108) Other commentaries on this messianic title explain that the advent of Mashiach will be like the sudden sprouting of a plant which breaks through the earth, seemingly, out of nowhere. These two ideas are not in conflict. The most surprising growth undergone by a plant is that slow process taking place underground which is hidden only to be revealed in a quick moment. For this reason it is written both, ואף על פי שיתמהמה עם כל זה אחכה לו "Though he tarry, I will wait every day for him," and כן בא אני מהר "Behold I come quickly." The arrival of Mashiach is a gradual, and at the same time, instantaneous event.
Like the flourishing of a plant from a dry seed, our sages have taught that the revelation of Mashiach will be like life from the dead; redemption will come from an impossible source.
Not only does the name tzemakh reflect our synagogue's messianic affiliation, it also describes the nature of an emerging generation of young people that make up the twenties group at Beit HaShofar; a group that has recently sprung up, seemingly, out of nowhere. This group comprised of both those who have grown up in our synagogue and newer members who have recently found a home with our community, is bringing and will continue to bring new life to our congregation.
Torah from the Couch is Torah-learning the easy way! Get together with your friends at Beit HaShofar to take advantage of some of the amazing video shiurim (Torah lessons) floating around cyberspace and on DVD. Torah from the Couch is an opportunity to drop in on Torah classes delivered by rabbanim from highly rated yeshivahs all around the world-from the comfort of a sofa! There will be drinks, food to nibble (kosher dairy), and open minded discussion after the lesson, so come prepared to have a great time!
If you would like to use the change from your couch to help support ours, we will have a tzedakah box sitting out, but Torah from the Couch is an absolutely free event!
The Goal of T'nuat
Noar Tsippor is the integration of each young person, post b'nei mitzvah age, fully
into Judaism and Synagogue life. Our hope is to encourage young people to live
Messianic Judaism daily. T'nuat
Noar Tsippor exists to create activities that
will encourage curiosity and interest in Jewish living, enhance knowledge of Torah,
Brit Chadashah, and the importance of tradition. Participating in works of
tzedakah in and outside of the Jewish community will also be a focus of T'nuat
Noar Tsippor.
It is our mission to nurture personal
dedication to our Mashiach and create a strong Jewish identity. This will be
accomplished by building relationships and a positive self-image while creating
memorable experiences, and encouraging prayer and devotion to G-d and Torah.
Join a group discussion of the weekly Parsha. Everyone is encouraged to participate and share his or her insights. Our class gleans wisdom from various rabbinic and messianic sources. We use the Artscroll Chumash commentary as a base for our discussions.
This class will be taught in a lively and interactive fashion, allowing the children to be exposed to a few different topic areas each week to build their knowledge and understanding. The goals of this class are:
to provide an overview of the Tenakh, helping children to become familiar with biblical books, people, and the parashot on a level to which they can relate
to develop a knowledge and love of the Jewish holidays, ceremonies, and traditions
to learn basic Hebrew (block letters, nikkud, reading, vocabulary)
to infuse the berachot(blessings) into the daily lives of the children through practice and by showing their meaning and value
to teach the middot (character traits) that will help them to live ethical lives, based on Pirkei Avot, stories and other teaching of our rabbis, and teachings of Messiah Yeshua through the Besorot(Gospels)
to give better understanding about ancient Yisrael and modern day Yisrael through activities and reading
Ohrot Torah (Lights of the Torah - ages 11-12 yrs). (Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Avraham class)
greater understanding of prayer and liturgy
Jewish history
Torah and Haftarah cantillation
basic Judaism concepts
a deeper look into customs, minhag and ethics
final project incorporating student's learning
study of the book of Mattitayahu
distinct learning tracts for boys and girls
student graduates from this level upon having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Avraham
A group dedicated to the mitzvot of Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick) and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of kindness). This 6 member group participates in hospital and home visits, services for the home, care packages for those who are ill, assists those who care for those who are ill and is in the process of becoming certified to sit with those who are dying who would otherwise die along.
On Tuesday nights many collect for coffee and in-depth Torah learning facilitated by our rabbi and enhanced through the open dialogue of those gathered.
An all women's group dedicated to learning, bonding, and growing in Torah and in Jewish life. Come be a part and participate in meaningful discussions, tzedakah and mitzvah opportunities, and spiritual g...
A melitz yosher is an advocate, someone who pleads for mercy on behalf of those who need an advocate. The idea of mediating for a person or people in need in the heavenly courts is an ancient in the Jewish tradition.
Beit HaShofar has developed a new weekday Children's Cheder (Hebrew/Religious School) which will replace our previous educational offering.
On Tuesday nights many collect for coffee and in-depth Torah learning facilitated by our rabbi and enhanced through the open dialogue of those gathered. 
The Goal of T'nuat Noar Tsippor is the integration of each young person, post b'nei mitzvah age, fully into Judaism and Synagogue life. Our hope i...
