Beit Chesed Synagogue

04/03/2026

May this season of Unleavened Bread bless everyone with a time of refreshing and renewed connection with HaShem through Mashiach Yeshua.

02/27/2026

Beit Chesed will not have service in person on February 28, 2026. Service will be on line by invitation.

02/21/2026

Beit Chesed will not have service on February 21, 2026. Full rest. Shabbat shalom.

01/26/2026

Why the Bible Should Be Read Through a Hebraic (Not Greco-Roman/Western) Lens

1. The Bible Was Written from within a Hebraic Worldview

The Hebrew Scriptures—and even the New Testament—were produced by Jewish authors immersed in:

Hebrew language and thought

Covenant theology

Temple, Torah, and communal life

Narrative, poetic, and relational modes of meaning

Greek was often the vehicle, but Hebrew thought was the engine.

Mistake of the Western lens: treating Greek language = Greek philosophy.

Shaul (Paul), Yeshua (Jesus), Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter), Yaakov (James), and Yochanan (John) did not think like Plato or Aristotle. They thought like Jews shaped by Torah, prophets, and Second Temple Judaism.

2. Hebraic Thought Is Concrete; Western Thought Is Abstract

Hebraic worldview

Truth is lived, not merely defined

Faith (emunah) = faithfulness, loyalty, trust in action

Knowledge (da‘at) = relational knowing

Greco-Roman worldview

Truth is abstract, propositional, systematic

Faith becomes mental assent

Knowledge becomes intellectual mastery

Example:

Western reading: “Do you believe the right doctrine?”

Hebraic reading: “Are you walking faithfully in covenant?”

This difference radically affects how we read salvation, obedience, sin, repentance, and holiness.

3. The Bible Thinks in Stories, Not Systems

Hebrew Scripture teaches through:

Narrative

Pattern

Typology

Repetition

Covenant cycles

Greek philosophy seeks:

Linear logic

Categorization

Definitions

Abstract universals

When Western readers impose systematic theology onto the text, they often:

Flatten paradox

Miss irony

Ignore narrative tension

Force false dichotomies (law vs grace, faith vs works)

Hebraic reality: Scripture is comfortable holding tension without resolving it philosophically.

4. Torah Is the Foundation—Not a Problem to Be Solved

In a Hebraic framework:

Torah is God’s gift

Obedience flows from relationship

Covenant precedes commandment

In later Western theology:

Torah becomes legalism

Grace becomes law’s opposite

Obedience becomes suspect

This inversion creates readings of Paul that would have baffled first-century Jews.

Rabbi Shaul (Paul) never abandoned Torah—he argued how Gentiles enter the covenant, not whether covenant faithfulness matters.

5. Words Change Meaning Across Worldviews

Many theological errors come from translating Hebrew ideas into Greek words—and then reading them with modern Western assumptions.

Examples:

Faith (emunah → pistis) = faithfulness, not mere belief

Sin (ḥet) = missing the mark, not just legal guilt

Repentance (teshuvah) = returning, not just remorse

Righteousness (tzedakah) = covenant loyalty, not abstract moral perfection.

A Hebraic lens restores the relational meaning behind the words.

6. Yeshua Taught as a Jewish Rabbi

Yeshua did not teach like a Greek philosopher.

He taught like:

A rabbi using parables

A prophet invoking Scripture

A covenant teacher calling Israel to return

His methods:

Hyperbole

Midrash

Allusion

Questions instead of definitions

Western readers often literalize what was meant to provoke repentance—or philosophize what was meant to transform behavior.

7. The Early Community Was a Jewish Movement with Grafted In People from the Nations (Roman 11).

The earliest believers:

Worshiped in the Temple and synagogues

Observed Jewish prayer rhythms

Quoted Hebrew Scripture constantly

Debated halakhic questions

Only later—through Gentile dominance and Greco-Roman categories—did Christianity become detached from its Jewish roots, which it broke away and formed its own traditions devoid of Torah and the biblical foundation, especially with the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE with Emperor Constantine et al.

Reading the Bible Hebraically is not “going backward”; it is returning to the soil in which the text was born.

8. A Hebraic Lens Produces a Lived Faith

Ultimately, the difference is this:

Hebraic Reading Western Reading
Covenant-centered Concept-centered
Community-focused Individual-focused
Practice-oriented Belief-oriented
Faithfulness Mental assent
Story-shaped Systematized

The Bible was never meant to be merely understood—it was meant to be walked.

In One Sentence

You should read the Bible through a Hebraic lens because God chose to reveal Himself not through Greek philosophy, but through covenant, story, and lived obedience in Israel.

The roots of the Olive Tree are Jewish, not Greco-Roman (Western). Those that claim to follow Rabbi Yeshua of Nazareth, need to return to the roots of the Olive Tree, not embrace the individuals like Constantine, Augustine of Hippo, John Chrysostom, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Darby, C I Scofield, John Wesley, Ignatius, Marcion, Justin Martyr, Melito of Sardis, Tertullian, Origen, Ambrose of Milan, and many others that could be named.

Antisemitism, Supersessionism (Replacement Theology), "the Church" replaced Israel followed the loss of the Hebraic worldview.

You cannot honestly study early "Church history" without admitting that foundational Christian theologians helped lay the groundwork for centuries of antisemitism.

Recovering a Hebraic reading of Scripture is not an attack on Christianity—it is a correction back to Yeshua, the apostles, and the Jewish roots of the faith.

01/18/2026

01/17/2026

So much to pray for: our world, our country, our places of worship, people that know not what they do, people following darkness, operating outside Biblical truth, people deceived by false doctrines, false religions, and alliances with the devil, and the everyday trials of family and friends.
Biblical prophesy is pouring out all around us and many churches are on the wrong side of the fence, divided, and outside of G-D's plan of Jew and Gentile in the olive tree of Israel.
L-RD, I pray that their eyes would be opened, that they who do not truly know You would read your word AS WRITTEN and see for themselves, especially pastors that are leading flocks astray with replacement theology. It only takes a little deception and the ship goes off course affecting many other teachings in Scripture.
They do not know the Hebraic understanding of Your word because that is not what they were taught, from seminary down to the sheep. Who did G-D through Yeshua commission to make disciples in all nations? Hint: Christianity did not exist at that time. It was Jewish disciples instructed to carry the good news and to teach those of the nations "to observe all I [Yeshua] have commanded you." Who was initially responsible for teaching the Ways of Messiah? The people that knew their own laws and traditions. Makes sense. Can't argue with G-D. He set it up.
G-D's word is written. G-D has spoken. You can't change it, you can't twist it out of context, and you can't make it go away. It is His design- Romans 11.
The Adversary wants to deceive and twist things concerning Scripture - did G-D really say? - famous last words before sin enters in.
Israel is key and central to Messiah coming back so naturally the enemy wants to destroy Israel and the Jewish people. But, we know from Scripture the end of the story. Israel will be saved. Sorry, no pre-trib "Christian rapture." Messiah Yeshua will reign as King of Israel in the land that G-D's name is literally on. And there will be those who have joined Israel through the promise of Abraham's seed, Yeshua the Messiah, a remnant of Gentiles. This is the body of Messiah, Jew and Gentile, one L-RD, One G-D, one faith (Jewish/biblical), one Spirit, one hope, one immersion. Ephesians 2,4.
We need to get the foundation right so that the bricks are laid firm and straight. Then maybe as Paul said the Jews would be provoked to jealousy. We can, then, come together in unity to be strong against the real enemy, the Adversary who seeks to kill and destroy both Jews and those who call themselves Christians, that is "Believers" in the One True G-D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We need to pray in these dark days, we need to come into agreement through faith with G-D's Way and unite in G-D's design, walking in obedience to G-D's law. We are to be one body of Messiah in Spirit and in Truth, G-d's Truth, not the ways of the world. Opinion is not truth, interpretation for personal gain is not truth. G-D's Truth sets us free and is the Way to Salvation and Eternal Life. Who is salvation? Yeshua said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). Who was Yeshua obedient to in everything? The Father. Whose laws/teachings did He follow? The Father's. What was written when Yeshua and His disciples walked the earth teaching? The scrolls of the "Old Testament." Oh yeah, no New Testament yet. Lightbulb moment. How do you teach someone about salvation from the Old Testament? Good question. Come to a Messianic synagogue and find out.
You can't build a foundation that will stand of sand, wood, or choose your own material. Yeshua is the corner stone, solid rock. Let's get it accurate for the sake of heaven.
My heart is for people to know the truth and sometimes the truth stings when it hits home. Sometimes out of ignorance and other times out of rebellion. But it is the truth that sets us free. And trust me when I say, anything the L-RD shows me, I examine myself first.
I have a desire in my spirit for the truth to be known and I am instructed not to hide it, but to let the light of G-D, of Messiah, shine forth.
May Messiah Yeshua be revealed in a mighty outpouring, greater than the darkness roaming to kill and destroy. I pray for all the present day persecuted souls and grieving families. We can all do our part in our circle. Be the light. Jump into the harvest. Set the captives free. Amen.

10/30/2025

Our ladies had a wonderful fall retreat in Hitbodedut, secluded prayer. We took a deep dive into our personal relationship with our Creator and did not leave the same. Our Father was faithful to meet us where we were. Praise be to Him. Beautiful fellowship in complete unity was a bonus. I’m sure our Father was pleased in our love for Him and one another. The greatest commands were exemplified in this event.

10/02/2025

Tzom Kal - May you have a meaningful fast.
Yom Kippur Service 10:00AM Oct 2, 2025

08/16/2025

Beit Chesed meets on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM ish. You can visit with us online. Please inquire here with a message and introduce yourself.

07/06/2025

Beit Chesed did not have services this past Shabbat, July 5, due to a medical issue. We will be back next Shabbat. Prayers for our mishpacha are appreciated.

06/01/2025

Erev Shavuot gathering, June 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM. RSVP on our website.

Our gathering for Shavuot will be on June 1, 2025, at 6:00PM. We will have a dairy meal. Please RSVP through our contact page. 

05/30/2025

As Shavuot-one of the pilgrimage festivals ordained by G-D- approaches this Sunday eve, we honor the giving of the Torah, the law, to Moses and Israel with a mixed multitude present at Mt Sinai. We also celebrate the writing of the Torah on the heart through the Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of Holiness) coming to indwell and empower believers in Yeshua, the Son of G-D which took place at Shavuot [aka Pentecost in Greek]. The Holy Feast took place 50 days after Yeshua's resurrection and 10 days after His ascension to heaven.

We honor the ketubah, the marriage contract between G-D and ISRAEL, His love letter within the Torah. His Word guides us in the ways of right living and is sweeter than honey. It is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, as Yeshua states of himself.

At Shavuot, the giving of the Torah on tablets, and Pentecost, the placing of the Torah on the heart, there are many deep connections, parallels, and a restoration of lives lost.

Should one say, "The Torah is Old Testament and not needed," do not listen to such error made by men who lack understanding. Instead, listen to the Messiah who follows every word of the Father. Yeshua says in Matthew 5:17-19,

17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.* 18 Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

*[This saying is a rabbinical idiom used by the sages and here by Yeshua. Same culture, same usage. To "abolish" in Hebrew understanding means to misinterpret and to "fulfill" means to correctly interpret. Simply put, Yeshua showed how to correctly follow the laws given to Moses and He followed them as well as the traditions of His people.]

Note, heaven and earth have not passed away and neither has the smallest letter of the Torah. Also, Yeshua states a reward, among many existing, for keeping and teaching the commandments.

Other Scriptures, besides the obvious events, come to mind in thinking of this Holy Day to honor the Torah. The following are just a sampling.

Deuteronomy 30: 9-14
"For Adonai will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers— 10 when you listen to the voice of Adonai your God, to keep His mitzvot [commandments] and His statutes that are written in this scroll of the Torah, when you turn to Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 “For this mitzvah [commandment] that I am commanding you today is not too difficult [emphasis: NOT TOO DIFFICULT] for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in the heavens, that you should say, ‘Who will go up for us to the heavens and get it for us, and have us hear it so we may do it?’ 13 Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross over for us to the other side of the sea and get it for us, and have us hear it so we may do it?’ 14 No, the word is very near to you—in your mouth and in your heart, to do it."

1 John 5:2-5
"2 We know that we love God’s children by this—when we love God and obey His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God—that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And the victory that has overcome the world is this—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world, if not the one who believes that Yeshua is Ben-Elohim [ Son of G-D]?"

John 14:15-21, 23-26
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 In a little while, the world will no longer behold Me, but you will behold Me. Because I live, you also will live!

20 “In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

23 Yeshua answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25 These things I have spoken to you while dwelling with you. 26 But the Helper, the Ruach ha-Kodesh whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything [ emphasis: remind you of everything] that I said to you.

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Yeshua came up to them [context: Jewish disciples] and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh, 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you [emphasis: to observe ALL I have COMMANDED YOU]. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

~~~~~
Thank you L-RD for Your instructions given in the teachings of Your commandments all of which hang upon loving You and loving our neighbor as ourself. THANK YOU for the Ruach, Your Spirit, which indwells in every believer to direct us to Your truth which is in the instructions of your commandments and reveals Your character and holiness. And, thank You for loving us as we also love You in return. Through faith and trust in Yeshua the Messiah, we walk in obedience to Your commandments written on our hearts. We know that faith and obedience go hand in hand and produce good fruit. Amen. Chag Shavuot Sameach! Happy Shavuot! Enjoy some sweetness. Blessings from HaShem.

MRbtz Yona