Day Two

Today our little group went to Beth Yeshua Jewish Synagogue.I was expecting to see an old traditional looking temple church thing. But to my surprise the synagogue was a little store front. Inside was a small room with chairs in a row with a bima or pulpit in the front. Mario Montes was our tour guide,is a Messianic Jew meaning he believed that Jesus is the Messiah. He showed us the Messianic Siddur, a little book that was in Hebrew with hymns and some scriptures.He also showed us the Sadar plate which is used for passover and the ark that holds the Torah,first five books of the Bible or Law. Covering the Torah is the mantel which reminded us of heaven,the breast plate which represented Aaron's priestly garment,the Torah is the words on the scroll made out of sheep skin it was held together by linen cloth and the cloth was the same material as the priest clothes. Mario asked Max to dress in the Yamaka and go around the room with Torah and let everyone touch it and kiss the teetzi. They will do that on Saturday. The Messianic Jews are much more different than the Orthodox Jews. The Orthodox are very traditional Jews they believe the Messiah has not come yet. Both Jews do not perform animal sacrifices. Being Jewish is both racial and religious.

By:Alese Davis