Shechinah (שכינה) — The Divine Presence
Core definition
The Shechinah, "the Presence," is the Divine as it dwells within the lower worlds — identified with the sefirah of Malchus. "The Shechinah is the aspect of Malchus, as is known"; "the life (chiyus) of the Shechinah is explained elsewhere as the aspect of the light of Ein Sof in Malchus" [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 927]. The Haggadah's "ומורא גדול — זו גילוי שכינה" is likewise expounded as "the aspect of Malchus of the Ein Sof" [31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 16, עב׳ 162], and "in the sefiros' matter it is an illumination from the sefirah Malchus — this is the Shechinah" [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 59].
How the Rebbeim develop it
The name itself is expounded: "the name 'Shechinah' is because it dwells (shochen) and enclothes itself in what is below it" [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 1009] — "only because it dwells in the lower ones — which is the aspect of the investment (hislabshus) of Malchus of Atzilus, which invests itself" [31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 51–52]. A second reading adds that Malchus "is called 'Shechinah' because it joins (mechaberes) the essence of Atzilus in BYA" [31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 139–140]. Hence the general rule: "when 'the revelation of the Shechinah' is said, the intent is that there is in this also the aspect of Kudsha Brich Hu (the Holy One, blessed be He)" [31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 140].
The Rebbeim stress the mediation. "Also this illumination of the aspect of the Shechinah is in concealment in the worlds and creatures: if there were the revelation of the aspect of the Shechinah in the worlds and creatures — the worlds could not receive it" [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 69–71]. The distinction is drawn between essence and illumination: "from the aspect of the Shechinah's essentialness the worlds cannot receive; only from the aspect of the Shechinah's illumination is what can be received in the worlds" [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 206–207].
The Shechinah accompanies Yisrael in history. "I will go down with you to Egypt" — "this is the exile of the Shechinah" [31695/maamar_025 :: עב׳ 34]; "that is the meaning of the exile of the Shechinah" [31695/maamar_025 :: עב׳ 316]. The sages' "the Shechinah is in the west" is given its precise sense [31695/maamar_025 :: עב׳ 93, עב׳ 254]. Yet the Presence is also attainable: "if you seek to see the Shechinah in this world, occupy in the Torah in the Land of Israel" [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 39] — "they see the Shechinah in this world" [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 51]. The eschatological delight is phrased in its terms: "the righteous sit and delight in the radiance of the Shechinah" [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 25] — "the radiance of the Shechinah, which the souls delight in in Gan Eden" [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 927].
Key distinctions
- Shechinah vs. Malchus: the Shechinah is the aspect of Malchus, but specifically Malchus as it dwells and invests itself below, and as it joins Atzilus's essence to BYA [31674/maamar_026 :: עb 927; 31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 139–140].
- Essence vs. illumination: the Shechinah's essentialness cannot be received by the worlds; only its illumination is receivable [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 206–207], and even that illumination is in concealment [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 69–71].
- Shechinah's life: the "life" of the Shechinah is "the light of Ein Sof in Malchus" [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 927].
- Dwelling vs. joining: the name is read both as shochen (dwelling below) and as mechaberes (joining the essence of Atzilus with BYA) [31674/maamar_026 :: עב׳ 1009; 31688/maamar_012 :: עב׳ 139–140].
- Exile vs. revelation: the Shechinah descends with Yisrael into exile ("in the west") [31695/maamar_025 :: עב׳ 34, עב׳ 93], yet can be seen in this world through Torah [58835/maamar_022 :: עב׳ 39–51].
Related concepts
- Malchus
- Knesses Yisrael
- Golus (exile)
- Gan Eden
- Hislabshus
Sources
- 31674/maamar_026 — ד״ה שמח תשמח (חתונה, תרנ״ז): delight in the radiance of the Shechinah [עב׳ 25]; Shechinah as Malchus, its life as the light of Ein Sof in Malchus [עב׳ 927]; the name's meaning [עב׳ 1009]; Shechinah as source [עב׳ 2838]
- 31688/maamar_012 — ששת ימים כו׳: "zu gilluy Shechinah" as Malchus [עב׳ 16]; Malchus called Shechinah [עב׳ 51–52]; Shechinah as joining Atzilus's essence to BYA [עב׳ 139–140]; Malchus of the Ein Sof [עב׳ 162]
- 58835/maamar_022 — דרשו הוי׳ ועוזו: seeing the Shechinah in this world [עב׳ 39, עב׳ 51]; Shechinah as illumination from Malchus [עב׳ 59]; concealment of its illumination [עב׳ 69–71]; essentialness vs. illumination [עב׳ 206–207]
- 31695/maamar_025 — ד״ה משכני: the exile of the Shechinah [עב׳ 34, עב׳ 316]; the Shechinah in the west [עב׳ 93, עב׳ 254]