Ahava (אַהֲבָה) is the Hebrew word for "love," and signifies deep devotion, compassion, and affection. Rooted in the word hav (הב), meaning "to give," ahava defines love in Jewish tradition as a conscious, actionable choice to give of oneself to another, rather than just a feeling.
Identified by Yeshua in the HaBrit HaChadasha (Matthew 22:37-40 and Mark 12:29-31) and rooted in the Torah, these two commandments are central to Jewish life. "And you shall love" (Ve'ahavta - ואהבת) starts both commandments, connecting them through a shared imperative.
The First and Greatest: Love God
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶךָ
This comes from the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5 - "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."
The Second: Love Your Neighbor
וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ
This comes from Leviticus 19:18 - "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Please reach us at info@congregationahava.org if you cannot find an answer to your questions.
While we are part of the worldwide and wide-reaching body of Yeshua Messiah (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), Rabbi Baruch Garcia is an active participant in the Union for Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) Retorno Project and CASA's affiliate status is in process.
Not at all! We welcome everyone regardless of their background, as equal members of Messiah Yeshua. We encourage everyone to embrace their own unique heritage. (Galations 3:28)
Which other Jewish figure has spread Torah to the rest of the world? Because of Yeshua, remote tribes all over the world have access to Torah and its interpretation in the Besorah (Gospel.)
Every Jewish synagogue considers the same 39 books in the Tanakh (Old Testament) to be canon. Every Christian church considers the same 27 books in the New Testament to be canon. Our congregation considers all 66 books to be canon.
Yes! Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah), Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentacost) are found in Leviticus 23; Purim is found in Esther 9:21; Hanukkah is found in John 10:22.
Luke 4 Yeshua attend the synagogue and read from the scroll on Shabbat as was his custom. This was in addition to [...] All the traditions point to Yeshua as the fulfillment of the Torah and Prophets (Tanakh).
We ask that you dress respectfully, but there are no specific requirements for religious attire. If desired, kippas are available for men to borrow for the service and returned after. For specific questions about talit or other religious garments, please consult with a Rabbi.
As Ezra lifted the Torah scroll in Nehemiah 8:5, the tradition carries on today in what is called the 'hagbah."
At your personal home, everyone has the freedom to decide to keep kosher or not. We do keep kosher at our gatherings (so sorry, but no bacon-wrapped shrimp!)
While the situation(s) are always in flux and may have changed since this was printed, as CASA we join congregations around the world in praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). While we do not know what the future holds, we do know Who holds the future!
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