The Roaming Of The Shekhinah

"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking about in the garden toward the breeze of the day" (Genesis 3:8). Rabbi Chalafon said: We have heard that there is a walking for a voice, as it is said: "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking about in the garden," and a walking for fire, as it is said: "And fire walked along the ground" (Exodus 9:23). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: It is not written here "walking" but "walking about," leaping and rising. The principal dwelling of the Divine Presence was among those below. When Adam sinned, the Divine Presence withdrew to the first firmament. When Cain sinned, it withdrew to the second firmament. The generation of Enosh, to the third. The generation of the Flood, to the fourth. The generation of the Dispersion, to the fifth. The men of Sodom, to the sixth. And the Egyptians in the days of Abraham, to the seventh. And corresponding to them seven righteous men arose, and these are they: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Levi, Kohath, Amram, Moses. Abraham arose and brought it down to the sixth. Isaac arose and brought it down from the sixth to the fifth. Jacob arose and brought it down from the fifth to the fourth. Levi arose and brought it down from the fourth to the third. Kohath arose and brought it down from the third to the second. Amram arose and brought it down from the second to the first. Moses arose and brought it down from above to below.