Shekinah

Question 1

What is the Shekinah?

Answer 1

The presence of God.

Question 2

How is its presence shown in the Torah?

Answer 2

“My presence will go with you and I will give you rest” The Torah also speaks of God choosing a place “as a dwelling for His name”

Question 3

Why is the Shekinah important?

Answer 3

1. However close Jews may feel to God, God’s presence is so holy that they must always maintain a deep respect for him.
2. Tenakh references the shekinah being at Mount Zion, making it a holy site.
3. Moses was surrounded by the Shekhinah when he received the Torah, this means that they’re God’s words.
4. The Shekinah shows that the prophets of the Tenakh were truly inspired by God and so their message must be true.

Question 4

What are the different understandings of the Shekinah?

Answer 4

1. Orthodox follow Maimonides and think of the Shekinah as light and a link between God and the world.
2. Others believe the Shekinah is another word for God.
3. Shekinah is simply the Jewish word of the Holy Spirit.

Question 5

Why are the different understandings of the shekinah important?

Answer 5

1. Shows that God is far beyond human thought.
2. He is unable to be changed and so are so many ways of understanding his presence.
3. It makes to easier for Jews and Christians to come together in their search for God.