The Shekhinah Flashcards
What is the Shekhinah?
The Hebrew word Shekhinah is used to describe the presence of God in the world today.
Rabbis use the word Shekhinah for any form of human contact with God
Jews believe that God continues to work in the world today through his divine presence, which is called Shekhinah.
When are some instances of divine presence in the Torah?
Although the actual word Shekhinah does not appear in the Hebrew scriptures, there are several places in the Torah where a divine presence among humans is described:
Genesis describes the presence of God in the Gan Eden when Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Life.
God’s presence guides Moses through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, a portable temple, where he could dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).
What are the three ways in which Jews can feel Shekhinah?
Study
Many Jews believe that through study of the scriptures they can connect with God. This may take place in a yeshiva, a school for Jewish study, or at home.
Worship
his connection began with the Tabernacle but now extends to the synagogue. A light – the ner tamid – burns in the synagogue to show that God is present.
Prayer
The Talmud states that when ten or more Jews are gathered in prayer, God is present. Jews refer to this group prayer as a minyan.
What are the different interpretation of Shekhinah?
Some Orthodox Jews refer to Shekhinah as a physical presence. They believe that God’s presence can be felt at the Western Wall, which is the remaining wall of the Temple in Jerusalem. For this reason, many Jews travel here to pray.
Some Reform Jews believe that the term Shekhinah refers to the feminine attributes of God, such as being caring or loving. This is because Shekhinah is a feminine word in Hebrew.
Some Reform Jews describe the Shekhinah as a light linking God and the world together.
Other Jews believe Shekhinah brings followers into God’s presence.
Why is Shekhinah important?
However close Jews feel to God, he is so much greater than humans so he must always be respected
God’s presence in the temple made it a very holy place for Jews
Moses was surrounded by the Shekhinah when receiving the 10 commandments meaning that they came directly from God
