Shekhinah

The Shekhinah (Hebrew: שְׁכִינָה, also spelled Shekinah, Schechina, Shechinah, etc.) is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning the dwelling or settling (of divine presence). It refers to a manifestation of God's presence which has descended and dwells among humanity. The term is primarily used in Rabbinic literature, rather than appearing explicitly in the Hebrew Bible, although biblical verses are often interpreted as alluding to the Shekhinah.

The Shekhinah is often associated with a feminine aspect of God, though not in a literal, gendered sense. Rather, it represents the immanent, nurturing, and accessible presence of the Divine, as opposed to a more distant and transcendent aspect. The Shekhinah is understood to dwell in places of communal prayer, study, and righteous action. Its presence is particularly associated with the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem.

After the destruction of the Temple, the Shekhinah is said to have gone into exile with the Jewish people, sharing in their suffering and offering consolation. The restoration of the Shekhinah is linked to the messianic era and the ultimate redemption of the world.

Different schools of Jewish thought interpret the Shekhinah in varying ways. Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, gives the Shekhinah a prominent role as the last of the ten Sefirot (divine emanations), representing the divine presence in the physical world. In this context, the Shekhinah acts as a conduit between the higher realms and the material realm. Philosophical approaches often see the Shekhinah as representing God's actions and influence within the world. Modern Jewish theology continues to explore the meaning and significance of the Shekhinah in contemporary contexts.