Don't Be A Lone Wolf

Each Tuesday evening, for the last few weeks, Rabbi Jack and I have been privileged to participate in a Bible Study in Woodstock, Ontario. At first we thought it a sacrifice. The drive there is one and half hours which means we have to end our day in the office between 3 and 4 o'clock. We were wrong. As it turns out each Tuesday evening is a wondrous blessing from G-d.

This past week, the study of the HaYesod program from First Fruits of Zion, was especially profound (to me). It was on Torah Community. Since the birth of my salvation I have been an advocate of "community in unity" in the congregation. Being brought up in a rather large Messianic congregation, Temple Aron HaKodesh in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, I experienced a fondness, a sense of commitment in this particular body of "unity". I have not always felt that way upon entering some congregations and was grieved. My experience with "LONE WOLVES" Is that they are desperate and deceived.

It never ceases to amaze me when I hear the words of a believer saying, "I don't have to attend a congregation, I can worship at home with my Abba above and He will bless me."

This is true but not totally. The Scriptures are clear concerning the forsaking of gathering with the assembly (Hebrews 10:25, {see box}). One of Asaph's Psalms, Psalm 82, refers to  G-d standing in the sanctuary (Rabbi Jack spoke a wonderful word concerning Asaph, the tape may be ordered). To return to the HaYesod lesson. When G-d gave His commandments He gave them to the children of Israel, not the child of Israel, referring that we are a composite unity.

Author Eliezer Berkovits, "Studies in Torah Judaism" says, "A Jew is never by himself in prayer. The most singularly personal aspect of the piety of a Jew is significant because it remains within the context of the religious faith, the affirmations and commitments, of all Israel." While reading "A Treasury of Thoughts on Jewish Prayer" I came across a wonderful quote by Abraham Millgram. Regarding Jewish Worship, he says, "The institution of congregational worship is one of the great Jewish contributions to mankind. To be sure, a man can worship privately and can order his devotional life within the framework of his G-d given personality. But the rabbis felt that the Jew who worships privately treads a spiritually lonely road. He lacks the spiritual uplift that one gains from corporate worship."

We as believers in Messiah Yeshua should take the advise of the two mainstream rabbis above and heed to the call of our L-rd, there should not be any "LONE WOLF" belivers. See you in the sanctuary on Shabbat! Shalom!

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שלום וברכה - Shalom UVracha!
By Rebbitzen Ellen (Elisheva) Farber
For the Messianic Jewish woman - אשת חיל