What to expect when visiting our congregation
Welcome to Ark in the Wilderness! When visiting our synagogue, you may encounter a handful of things that differ from what you are accustomed to. You will likely be greeted with a hearty “Shabbat Shalom” as you walk in wishing you a “peaceful Sabbath”. It is common around our synagogue to see kippahs, a skull cap worn by men, tallitot, men’s prayer shawls with fringes, and shawls for ladies to cover their hair. Our Rabbis are usually available before service to greet and talk with our visitors, and they’re happy to explain any term you don’t recognize and answer any questions you may have. We also have a glossary of the most common words you will hear around our synagogue if you want to familiarize yourself with it.
“Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a violet thread.” Numbers 15:38
Our services begin with the men doing the blessing over the tallit, a prayer shawl with fringes. We start our praise and worship singing and dancing with Shabbat Shalom and Mah Tovu, a traditional Jewish prayer recited upon entering a synagogue, expressing appreciation for the community and sacred space. Our praise and worship team will perform a handful of songs and Davidic dances while more of our congregation arrive before the Torah service begins. Davidic dancing is a joyful expression of praise and thanksgiving to God.
“And David was dancing before the Lord with all his strength, and David was wearing a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14
We go deeper into worship through the prayer liturgy. Beginning with the blessings over the children and Aaronic Benediction, (Numbers 6:24-26). Our Torah procession follows the blessings, the Torah is taken from the ark and carried around the sanctuary before being read. A small portion is read in Hebrew before we put the Torah safely back in the ark and begin the message for the week. When putting away the Torah, we gesture towards the Torah, without pointing directly at it out of respect and tradition.
"Moses charged us with a law, A possession for the assembly of Jacob." Deuteronomy 33:4
Our weekly message usually relates to the weekly torah portion or current holidays. Occasionally we invite guests to teach, or we host Bar and Bat Mitzvahs where members other than our Rabbis deliver the weekly service. One of our Rabbis will close the service after the message has been delivered to the congregation by blessing the members with the Aaronic Benediction, (Numbers 6:24-26). Following our service is Oneg, a meal after service. We invite everyone to attend our after service potluck lunch, even if you don’t bring a dish.
