Sabbath Keepers Fellowship & Prison Ministry
Ovadyah Ben Yisrael
Selichoth Prayers - An Introduction
"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
Tephillah is the act of prayer. It is the way that we communicate with the Most High.
The word tephillah in Hebrew connotes much more than just communication, it implies an actual attachment with that object to which it is directed, or a reattachment of that which has been torn asunder.
That is the goal of Selichoth prayers.
Selichoth means “forgivenesses.”
Each year as we perform the annual cycle of festivals, fasts and commandments of YHWH, we are meant to ascend ever higher towards understanding, righteousness and perfection.
Each year we try with all or most of our hearts to do this, and yet each year we somehow fail.
Then, if we are honest with ourselves, we experience a dread at the onset of Yom Teruah and the Days of Judgment.
Selichoth prayers are appeals to YHWH for His forgiveness of our failings which are said during the month of Elul, including the entire forty days prior to Yom Hakippurym, in an attempt to reconcile ourselves with Him.
Elul, the sixth scriptural month, is the month of “Repentance and Return.”
Each day of Elul, the shofar is blown to awaken the people of YHWH from their spiritual slumber, to warn them of the impending coming of Messiah, and to cause them to repent of their many sins.
But repentance without a return to righteousness is a vain thing.
Return, or “Teshuvah,” is the object of Selichoth prayers.
Each morning during Elul, we rise and pour out our hearts before our Creator in hopes that He will hear and quickly restore us to right-standing with Him before He comes.
There is scriptural precedent for Selichoth prayer.
It was during the month of Elul that Moshe returned to Mount Sinai for forty days and nights to obtain the second set of tablets, after breaking the first ones because of the sin of the golden calf.
It is thought that the children of Yisrael prayed and fasted during this time of waiting.
It was prior to the fall festival that Sh’lomo dedicated the first temple with his famous prayer, asking that YHWH hear and forgive His people their sins wherever they might be, when they turn toward His house and pray to Him with all their hearts.
And it was during the month of Elul that Yehoshua Hamashiach prayed, fasted and was tested in the wilderness prior to the beginning of His ministry on earth.
It is not enough to wait until the day of His return, and then plead for forgiveness in Judgment - not for His Remnant, those who will be His at His coming.
Like the parable of the Ten Virgins, we must be of those who do not slumber, but remain awake and vigilant, ready and waiting for our Savior’s return.
It is to that end that Sabbath Keepers Fellowship is posting this article and presenting our small booklet of Selichoth prayers to our brothers and sisters in faith, in order that they may have oil in their lamps and be dressed in clean white linen on the day that our Bridegroom comes for us. May YHWH speed that day.
By His Grace,
Ovadyah Ben Yisrael
Selichoth prayers are traditionally performed in the early morning before dawn, usually beginning just after midnight.
As on any other day, the Modeh Ani, Sh'ma, and other morning blessings are to be be said before doing these or anything else.
If for some reason one cannot pray Selichoth in the morning, they should be done whenever possible.
The most important thing is that one does pray.
Most of the prayers can be said while seated, with a few exceptions being:
the Sh'ma, Qaddish, El Melek and the Vidduy, which are said standing.
If available, tephillin and the tallith should be worn.
However, it is our opinion that if they are not, one should say the prayers anyway.
Repentance and Teshuvah are more important than any clothing.
If possible, Selichoth should be said in a quiet place, free from distraction or interruption.
Once begun, they should be said and finished in their entirety.
When in private, personal or "free" prayers of repentance may always be added to enhance Selichoth.
Each day, the penitent should search for and find deeper meaning and relevance in the prayers until finally, at Yom Hakippurym, they are as prepared as humanly possible to appear before the throne of their King.
Repent! Return to Your First Love
Blog written and shared on the Remnant Nation University blog site
https://www.remnantnation.org/....post/repent-return-t
This is a free printable PDF copy of the Complete Believer's Calendar, for those who would like to use or review it. It is hands down the most accurate new-crescent calendar on earth. Visit our website to see why:
https://sabbathkeepersfellowship.org/calendar
Shalom, everyone! I am not around as much here or on any platform really. I kind of breeze in and out as I am very busy in non-social media life. I am taking the time to study and draw close to my Lord in preparation for the days to come.
I hope everyone is well. May you all be blessed.
The New Moon was spotted over Yisra’el today making it the beginning of the fifth biblical month! Happy Rosh Chodesh Triumph In Truth family!
Praise Yah for small victories! Today, I was able to do something I've wanted to do for 30 years: get a computer program to create a window/frame/gui box. I know it seems so simple, but when I was studying computer programming 30 years ago, Java didn't exist yet. Now, Izm reading Java for Dummmies and learning what I always wanted to! I plan to make a calendar app for believers. Theres one out there, but it changes the day of the week the sabbath falls on each month, so it's not scripturally based, despite it's claim. I'm considering making the app helpful to not just conjunctionists, but also sliverists, though I haven't thought out how to do that yet. If you have any input, I welcome it. This seems like a big project, but I know if Yah wills it, I can break it down into mini apps to accomplish the big picture. I'm also considering making the calendars printable, for those who like to have something tangible or for back up. If anyone knows reliable Internet sources or less expensive books for astronomical calculations, could you please let me know of them? I know one person out of state that knows how to do this, but he already has a lot on his plate. I pray that my migraines don't deter me or confuse my work. Thank you for today's victories, Yah!
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
#ephesians 4:7
Every person is judged and forgiven individually on the basis of his own faith and repentance. There are ways in which we are judged as families and nations, but God’s grace to forgive sins through the atoning force of #yeshua’s blood applies one person at a time.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
#ephesians 4:4-6
There is one people in #yeshua, not Jew and Gentile. There is one standard for God's people and one law. All those who swear allegiance to the King of Israel and commit to sanctifying his Shabbat and living according to his standards are citizens of the Kingdom of #israel.
Any attempt to limit the participation and ministry of a fellow believer on the basis of his former status as a gentile is anti-Christ in every sense of the word.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called...
Ephesians 4:1
Whatever role you have been called to play in the Kingdom, it is as a citizen and representative of the King. To “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” is to keep the King’s law and to live among the nations in a manner which brings honor and glory to his name.
Much of Ephesians 4-5 may be a commentary on Yeshua's conversations with the Disciples at the final Passover. Mutual submission, the descent and ascent of Yeshua, etc. in John 13.
TTN Music 
TTN Promo