Order Of Service

Introduction

In order to esteem and beautify our Creator YHWH in worship, ensuring a unity and accord that most closely adheres to the Scriptural model, we, the Zaqenym of Truth In Torah, establish this authorized Order of Service for all congregations of Truth In Torah.

Using this Order of Service without first establishing a scripturally-structured community according to the rules of our faith is neither possible nor permitted. Also, it must be accepted that neither our community structure nor this Order of Service is a function of democracy. Order is established for the benefit of all and is maintained in love. Nowhere in scripture is a community found to be governed democratically, because such a scheme does not work.

Leaders, once appointed, are entrusted to lead and teach our congregations with power and authority, yet always having the best interests of their people at heart. Various other persons within the congregations may be assigned leadership in portions of the worship service at the direction of the Rosh Beith Din in accordance with their particular gifts, their experience and the needs of the community. Non-members, proselytes, new converts and the untaught are never allowed to lead or teach. Such would bring chaos and confusion to the community and is forbidden by scripture. The only exception may be guest speakers of competent learning and sound doctrine who have been approved by the Zaqenym of Truth In Torah.

Inappropriate grooming and dress are forbidden at worship services. Men should not wear shorts or t-shirts, and women should not wear tight or revealing clothing. A man should wear a tallith and tefillin, if possible, and a woman should cover her head, in accordance with the commandments. No one appearing before a secular king dresses in anything but his finest. How much moreso should this be when appearing before Haqadosh, Baruk Hu, as it is said, Da lifney mi omed atoh – “Know before whom you stand.” In congregations of Truth In Torah, the commands of the Miqra Qodesh will not only be kept but, whenever possible, be made beautiful.

During worship services, disruptions and desecrations will not be tolerated. Arriving late or leaving early should be avoided, if at all possible. During prayer, song and reading of the scriptures, members of Truth In Torah should not carry on conversations, flush toilets, or fail to control their young children. At all times in the Miqra Qodesh, members should be reverent and respectful towards the meeting place of YHWH and towards others present.

At all times, Zaqenym and Rosh Beith Din of Truth In Torah should be shown respect and honor, and most especially during worship services. When a Zaqen or Rosh Beith Din enters the meeting room, all members should rise to their feet, beckoned by the Chazzan or the Shamashym, if necessary. This is a command of the Torah, not of men, and the keeping of commandments is always a blessing. A Zaqen, Nassi, Or Rosh Beith Din shall not be accused except under extreme and necessary circumstances. No member shall argue with a Zaqen, Nassi, or Rosh Beith Din, nor shall either receive disrespect from any member. Such behavior is considered shameful for the entire community and is regarded a Chillul Hashem – a desecration of the Name of YHWH, by which we are called.

The materials and texts used by our communities in public worship shall be those which are published or approved by Truth In Torah, whenever possible. The Hertz Siddur  or Complete Believer’s Siddur, by Sabbath Keepers Fellowship, should be used in liturgical prayer. The Scriptures, by The Institute for Scriptural Research, should be used in community readings and teachings. The Qehilath Haderek Calendar or the “Complete Believer’s Calendar” by Sabbath Keepers Fellowship should be used for scheduling all Moedym, Torah study, and other observances. All doctrinal and community issues should be based upon and decided in accordance with scripture, along with the Truth In Torah Statement of Beliefs and Community Rules.

Prior to a worship service, the venue must be made ready. If the service is to be held on a Shabbath, preparation should be done on the previous day, if possible, so that no work is performed on the Shabbath and all focus is upon fellowship and worship. Seating should be set up facing east in North America, it being the direction of shortest distance to Yerushalayim towards which we are to worship and pray, according to Scripture. A table or small desk and chair should be set facing everyone from which the teacher will teach, following the example of Yehoshua. A bimah (or podium), should also be set up in front and facing the people, from which prayer, worship, and scripture reading are led. Seating for Zaqenym of the community should be set slightly apart in a place of honor. The Chazzan and Shamashym should be placed where it will be most convenient for them to perform their functions and assist the congregation. Anything in the room that is distracting or that does not belong in the Beith Elohym should be removed. Then, when everything is in readiness and all are assembled at the appointed time, the service may begin.


General Outline

1. Blowing of the shofar

2. Call to Worship

3. Opening Prayer

4. Honoring of Zaqenim and Guests

5. General Announcements

6. Song and Worship

7. Qiddush

8. Birkat Hamazon

9. Preliminary Tehillim

10. Half Qaddish

11. Baraku, Sh’ma and Amidah

12. Aleynu and Mourner’s Qaddish

13. Open Prayers of Request and Healing

14. Birkat Hachodesh

15. Reading of the Torah

16. Reading of the Haftarah

17. Reading of the Ketuvim Hatalmidim

18. The Lesson for the Day

19. Closing Songs and Tehillim

20. Closing Prayer

21. Blowing of the Shofar


Order of Service In Detail

1. Blowing of the Shofar – When all are assembled, the shofar is blown. All who possess a tallith and tefillin should don them at this time, then be seated.

2. Call to Worship – At the second blowing of the shofar, all stand for the opening prayer, which is led by the Rosh Beith Din or Chazzan of the community.

3. Opening Prayer – This is begun with, Ma tovu oheleyka, Ya’aqov, mishkanoteyka, Yisrael…, to which free prayer is added. It is said by the Rosh Beith Din or Chazzan.

4. Honoring of Zaqenym and Guests – A greeting and acknowledgement of the appointed Zaqenym of the community is given, and a brief opportunity for them to return the greeting and speak is provided. Guests and new members of the community are also introduced at this time. This is done by the Rosh Beith Din.

5. General Announcements – News of the community, notice of upcoming Moedym or services, and special requests or needs are announced. This is done by the Rosh Beith Din.

6. Songs and Worship – Congregational songs are sung and any special music or dance is performed at this time. These are led by the Chazzan.

7. Qiddush – The ceremonial fellowship meal of bread and wine is performed. In congregations where a full communal meal is also served, Qiddush can be delayed until after the entire service is completed and the meal is begun. It is served by the Shamashym and led by the Rosh Beith Din.

8. Birkat Hamazon – The thanksgiving prayer commanded by Torah to be performed after meals is said after Qiddush and a meal. This is done by the Chazzan.

9. Preliminary Tehillym – The Hebrew word for Psalm is Tehillah and means praise. In ancient times, certain Tehillym were sung or chanted on specific days in the Beith Hamiqdash and synagogues. For example: on Shabbatoth, Tehillah 92 was recited and is called Mizmor Shir L’yom Hashabbath – a song sung for the Shabbath Day. These traditional selections may be used or others selected for praises prior to the primary service of congregational prayers. They can be sung or chanted by the Chazzan, or read in unison by the entire congregation.

10. Half Qaddish – The Qaddish is a simple and exquisitely beautiful blessing to the Most High. It is very ancient and was used in the Beith Hamiqdash during the time of Yehoshua, as were other parts of our Order of Service. This blessing is generally used between or at the end of various portions of worship. It is recited standing and as a responsive by the Chazzan and the congregation.

11. Baraku, Sh’ma and Amidah – This is the primary service of corporate prayer and must be held in greatest reverence. No interruptions may be allowed from its beginning to its end. Congregants stand and recite the responsive Baraku blessing, then shade their eyes with their right hand or the corner of their tallith and say the Sh’ma. Next comes the Amidah (or "Shemoneh Esreh"). These were all performed in the Beith Hamiqdash in the time of Yehoshua, and he most assuredly said them himself. He even called the Sh’ma, the greatest commandment. The prayers are led by the Chazzan and joined by the congregation.

12. Aleynu and Mourner’s Qaddish – The Aleynu begins with, “It is our duty,” and that is the theme of this declaration. Said subsequent to corporate prayer, it is an affirmation to one another and to the world of who we are as a people and where we stand before our Creator and King. It is followed by the Mourner’s Qaddish. These are recited by the Chazzan with a responsive by the congregation. However, if anyone in the community is in mourning for a relative or close friend, it is tradition that he lead the Qaddish instead of the Chazzan. This is done as an act of faith and trust in the Almighty during a time of great trial and sorrow.

13. Open Prayers of Request and Healing – Immediately following the Qaddish, the congregation is invited to gather and pray freely with personal requests and for healing. The Chazzan should begin, then invite all to join. If anyone present is in need of healing, the Zaqenym of the community should lay hands upon them at this time, and then the Rosh Beith Din or Chazzan may close the prayer.

14. Birkat Hachodesh – This is the blessing which is only said on the Shabbath prior to each rosh chodesh, announcing the predicted first day of the next month. It is used to remind the community of upcoming fasts and moedym, and to give thanks to YHWH for His faithfulness. It is done by the Chazzan.

15. Reading of the Torah – Some or all of the weekly Torah parashoth are read aloud. In very small groups this is done by either the Chazzan or a designated reader. In larger congregations, the readings are split into seven segments, or aliyoth. The reader notifies each of the seven community members to be honored with an aliyah that they will be called up to read during the service. First, the blessing over the reading of the Torah is said. Then, each aliyah is called in turn. As they read aloud, the Chazzan or reader remains beside them to guide them through the passage, or to assist them should they need help. Finally, at the end of all seven segments, the closing blessing over the Torah is said.

16. Reading of the Haftarah – This is the portion from the prophets which corresponds to the weekly Torah parasha. It is considered high honor to be chosen to read it. Like the Torah reading, it has an opening and closing blessing, and the person granted this aliyah is guided by the Chazzan or designated reader.

17. Reading of the Ketuvym Hatalmidym – This is also known as the Writings of the Apostles. Unlike the Torah and Haftarah portions, there is no universally accepted series of weekly readings from these scriptures. Passages should be chosen which correspond to the week’s Torah parasha or to the lesson planned for the day. The aliyah for the Ketuvym Hatalmidym is performed in the same way as that of the Haftarah.

18. The Lesson for the Day – Traditionally, the lesson is taught on subjects from the weekly Torah parasha, or about an upcoming fast or Moed. Usually, it is the community Rosh Beith Din who teaches the lesson. However, in some congregations, another person is appointed by the Rosh Beith Din and Zaqenym as the designated teacher because of his superior scholarship and ability. Occasionally, a special lesson may be brought for some reason, or a special guest teacher may be invited to teach on a specific subject. Whatever the case may be, during the lesson, the teacher should teach, and the congregation should learn. Excessive questions and discussion should be discouraged until the lesson is over. Order and respect must be maintained in the Beith Elohym.

19. Closing Songs and Tehillym – The congregation stands, and one or two songs or Tehillym of hope and promise, such as “Adon Olam”, are sung in fellowship, led by the Chazzan.

20. Closing Prayer – The Rosh Beith Din or a Zaqen leads a prayer and benediction.

21. Blowing of the Shofar – This signifies the conclusion of the Order of Service. Until this signal is given, no one should begin to pack up or otherwise disrupt the proceedings.

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This Order of Service for Turth In Torah is a simple one, grounded in the methods used by those in ancient Hebrew religion and in scripture. It is, to the best of our knowledge, quite similar to the style of service that was used at synagogue by our Messiah and his contemporaries. Each element was carefully chosen and placed in its order for beneficial and scripturally-determined reasons, and many even reflect the prayers and order that were used in the Beith Hamiqdash of YHWH.

We understand that at times the order of service must be somewhat flexible in order to accommodate certain time constraints, guest speakers, fasts or special celebrations. This is permitted, with approval of the community Rosh Beith Din and Zaqenym, but deviation from the established order should never become the norm. Unity and continuity both within and between communities of Truth In Torah must be maintained. We also understand and expect there will be some stylistic differences between the various qehiloth (congregations) in the way that services are performed, and to some degree this is even encouraged. However, the basic structure and flow of services must be kept intact and not compromised. This is the only order of service approved for use by our communities, and it is uniquely ours. We hope that it will benefit you, our brothers and sisters in faith, and bring all of us just a little bit closer in unity as a people called out in His name.

(Our Order of Service is adapted from Qehilath Haderek, all rights reserved)