Shekhinah – modern interpretations
How Jews experience Shekhinah today
Jews believe there are three ways in which they can experience the presence of God in the world today:
| Study | Worship | Prayer |
| 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. | This 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. | 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. |
| 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 | This 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. |
Different interpretations of Shekhinah among Jews
Some Orthodox JewsJews who live by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accept changes that can be supported by the Torah. refer to shekhinahDivine presence in Judaism; the word used to refer to God’s presence in the world. 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 (Judaism)The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem from biblical times until AD70. in JerusalemThe capital city of Israel when Jesus was alive. The city where he was crucified, buried and rose again.. For this reason, many Jews travel here to pray.
Some Reform JewsJews who have adapted their laws and practices as modern life has changed. 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 HebrewThe ancient language of the Jewish people. The language of the Torah, the Temple and the modern state of Israel..
Question
How can Jews experience the presence of God in the world today?
Jews believe they can experience the presence of God in three ways: study, worship and prayer. They may study the Torah at home or in a yeshiva, they may worship God at the synagogue and they often take part in group prayer.