GCSE RE (Eduqas) Judaism - Shekhinah 5min recap

Summary

This five-minute educational video delves into Jewish beliefs, focusing on the concept of the Shekhinah, which represents God's presence felt in the world and particularly in Israel at the Western Wall. It traces the Shekhinah's origins to the time of Moses and the Tabernacle, highlighting its significance in connecting Jews through prayer and embodying God's nurturing qualities. The video aims to help viewers understand the Shekhinah's role in Jewish faith and its enduring presence in Jerusalem's remaining temple wall.

Takeaways

• 😇 The Shekinah represents the presence of God, where God's presence rests and can be felt.
• 🌍 God's presence is omnipresent, meaning it can be felt not only in a synagogue but everywhere in the world.
• 🕍 Jews believe God's presence is especially felt at the site of the destroyed temple in Israel, known as the Western Wall.
• 📜 The concept of Shekinah is rooted in the story of Moses and the building of the Tabernacle, a portable temple for God's dwelling among the people.
• 🔥 God's presence guided and protected the Jews during their journey to the Promised Land, symbolized by pillars of cloud by day and fire by night.
• 🏛 The transition from a portable Tabernacle to a permanent temple in Jerusalem signifies the establishment of a fixed place for God's presence.
• 🧱 The Western Wall is the remaining part of the destroyed temple in Jerusalem, believed to be a place where God's presence still resides.
• 🙏 The Shekinah allows Jews to experience God through prayer and feel a close connection with the divine.
• 👥 The concept of Shekinah connects Jews in a community, as they are all part of one community under one God.
• 👂 The Shekinah implies that God listens to the prayers of the Jewish people, fostering a sense of intimacy with the divine.
• 🌱 The Shekinah can also refer to God's nurturing and caring qualities, as seen in biblical passages describing God's sustenance and care for creation.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video session on Jewish beliefs?

The focus of the video session is on the nature of God in Judaism, with a particular emphasis on the concept of the Shekhinah.

What does the term 'Shekhinah' mean in the context of Jewish beliefs?

The term 'Shekhinah' refers to the place where God's presence rests and can be felt.

Why do Jews believe that God's presence can be felt everywhere, not just in a synagogue?

Jews believe in the concept of omnipresence, meaning that God is present everywhere, which allows His presence to be felt in the whole world, not only in a synagogue.

What is the significance of the Western Wall in Jewish beliefs regarding the Shekhinah?

The Western Wall is significant because it is the only remaining part of the destroyed temple in Israel, where Jews believe God's presence rests, making it a place of prayer and connection to God.

What was the purpose of the tabernacle as instructed by God to Moses?

The tabernacle was a portable temple meant to allow God's presence to dwell among the Jewish people as they traveled, signifying His desire to be in relationship with them.

How did God guide and protect the Jews during their journey to the promised land as mentioned in Exodus?

God guided the Jews with pillars of cloud by day and pillars of fire by night, symbolizing His presence, guidance, and protection.

What is the connection between the Shekhinah and the temple built by the Jews in the promised land?

The Shekhinah is connected to the temple because it is where God's presence was believed to dwell permanently, as stated in the Book of Chronicles where the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

Why is the Western Wall considered the closest place on earth to experience God's presence according to the video?

The Western Wall is considered close to God's presence because it is the last remaining part of the temple where His presence was believed to dwell, and it is a place where Jews go to pray and feel connected to God.

How does the Shekhinah concept teach Jews about experiencing God through prayer and community?

The Shekhinah concept teaches that Jews can experience God through prayer and feel connected to each other in a community, as they are all connected by the one God and the one community.

What are some of the female qualities of God that can be referred to by the Shekhinah according to the script?

The Shekhinah can refer to God's female qualities such as sustenance, care, and looking after creation, as exemplified in the Book of Psalms where God makes the grass grow for cattle and plants for people.