7.2: Shekinah

Question 1

Define Shekinah:

Answer 1

It is God’s presence dwelling in the world
Eg. Jews know that God is present when they pray, study and worship

Question 2

Why is the Shekinah important?

Answer 2

• It means that Jews can be close to God whenever and wherever they are
• It is a teaching of the Rabbis, as well as the Tenakh and Torah
• It means that that the prophets were all inspired by God’s Shekhinah

Question 3

Divergent attitudes

Answer 3

• Some Jews see the Shekhinah as being like the feminine attributes of the divine
• Other Jews see it being more like the Holy Spirit
• Traditional Jews see it as the link between God and the modern world

Question 4

The Shekhinah - Sources of Wisdom:

Answer 4

“The glory of Hashem (Lord) filled the Temple.”
(2 Chronicles 7:1)