This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Inter faith Group attends Sabaath Services at Or Hardash in Sandy Springs

As part of the three day program “Meet Your Neighbor, An Interfaith Adventure” from July 19-July 21, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta members were given a unique opportunity to interact with people of four different faiths to foster mutual respect and create a better understanding of the different styles of worships in each tradition. The congregation of Or Hadash in Sandy Springs welcomed around thirty guests including three Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (GA Chapter) members for their Sabaath Service.

The website of Or Hadash promotes it as “an egalitarian, Conservative congregation”. The husband and wife team of Argentina natives Rabbi Mario Karpuj and Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz founded the congregation in 2003 after moving to Atlanta in the year 2000. The diverse congregation has now grown to about four hundred families.

The theme of the service revolved around the “The Ten Commandments” and showing gratitude to God. According to dictionary.com, Sabaath (a Hebrew word) is the seventh day of the week, Saturday and is meant for religious observance and rest.

Find out what's happening in Suwaneewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In his opening remarks, Rabbi Mario Karpuj welcomed and gave a brief overview of the program that day. Before the service could commence, each Rabbi wore their “Tallit”, the Jewish prayer shawl. “It needs to be a rectangular piece of cloth. Having corners is important”, explained Rabbi Analia. The reason she said was that each corner can then be embellished with eight pieces of yarn along with five knots to serve as a reminder for the 613 Torah commandments.

Both men and women are recommended to cover their heads before entering the prayer service area. The special head covering for men is called a “Kippah” (skull cap).

Find out what's happening in Suwaneewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The worship area had a simple yet beautiful setting where the viewer’s eyes are instantly drawn to the built-in “Ark” facing eastwards towards Jerusalem that houses four Torah scrolls. Rabbi Marc gave a little introduction to each one and how it was acquired for the temple. The Torah scrolls are given the utmost respect in the Jewish tradition since they contain the laws given to Prophet Moses (Peace be upon Him).

It was fascinating to know that even in this day and age, the Torah scrolls are still hand written, a process that could take up to a year to finish. In the Jewish tradition, parchment used for writing has to come from the skin of a kosher animal. Believe it or not, one of the scrolls in possession of this congregation is written on parchment made from skin of deer.

The visitors were offered to have a closer look at the scrolls but it was explained that whenever somebody has to read from them, they have to use a pointer called “Yad”, a Hebrew word that literally means a “hand”.

The service that concluded around noon with lunch switched between Torah reading/commentary and Sabaath and festival readings. Instead of a single sermon, young and old, men and women of the congregation took part in the readings bringing in a sense of participation and unity.

Although, Rabbi Aalia explained the basic concept of the verses before each reading segment in English, all verses were sung in Hebrew language. Observing faithful chanting the praise of God in an ancient foreign language reminded of the common root the three major monotheistic religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam share, that is, the concept of oneness of God.

It also affirms that the creator called “Allah” in Islam is the living God. He was always there and will always remain and that “all places of worship belong to Allah”(Quran 72:19).

The opportunity to observe praises of God in a Jewish temple in the holy month of Ramadan is a unique blessing. Events like these that bring understanding and mutual respect between neighbors are key in establishment of peace.

My take of the day; Even though, you say “Shalom” and I say “Salam” but what the heart desires is the same, “Peace”.

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Suwanee