Shekhinah in Kabbalah

Subject Areas : Christianity

بخشعلی  قنبری ¹ (ندارد)
فاطمه  مهدیه ² (ندارد)

Received: 2011-05-04 Accepted : 2011-07-05 Published : 2010-09-23

Keywords: Shekhinah, Kabbalah, Sefiroth, Ein Sof,

Abstract :

Shekhinah is one of the key concepts in the Judaism and especially inthe mystical tradition of Kabbalah. Although this concept iscomparable with the concept of sakīnah in the Islamic culture, itsmeaning is more extended and more complicated. According to theKabbalah’s ontology there are ten sefirahs (divine qualities) in thecosmos that shekhinah is the last but not the least of them. Sometimeshekhinah is described as a personified being that lives among peopleand sometime it is regarded as the God’s permanent presence in theworld. However, in general shekhinah is mediator between the Ein Sof(the Infinite) and universe that without it our universe lose its order.The word Shekhinah first appeared in Talmud however its earlymeaning has been transformed throughout history- especially inKabbalistic literture and under the influence of Gnostic Sophia. Instudying Shekhinah the most important thing is the prominent role thatthis sefirah have played in realizing the order of cosmos andreestablishing peace for the sons of Israel. Meditation, contemplationand devotion to the religious practice cause the Shekhinah to descendon the Jewish believers and connect it to Ein Sof. On the contrary,neglecting to live under the divine commandments and the Laws ofScripture cause the Shekhinah to leave the world.