Page "Shekhinah" Paragraph 6

Shekinah is derived from the Hebrew verb שכן.

In Biblical Hebrew that Semitic root means literally to settle, inhabit, or dwell, and is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible.

( See Exodus 40: 35, " Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, for the cloud rested upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

" See also e. g. Genesis 9: 27, 14: 13, Psalms 37: 3, Jeremiah 33: 16 ), as well as the weekly Shabbat blessing recited in the Temple in Jerusalem (" May He who causes His name to dwell in this House, cause to dwell among you love and brotherliness, peace and friendship ").

In Mishnaic Hebrew the noun is often used to refer to birds ' nesting and nests.

(" Every bird nests with its kind, and man with its like, Talmud Baba Kammah 92b.

) and can also mean " neighbor " (" If a neighbor and a scholar, the scholar is preferred " Talmud Ketubot 85b ).