The Wandering Of The Shekhinah

Rav Yehuda bar Idi said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: The Divine Presence made ten journeys, as derived from the verses; and corresponding to them the Sanhedrin went into exile, as derived from tradition. The Divine Presence made ten journeys, as derived from the verses: from the ark cover to the cherub, and from one cherub to the other cherub, and from the cherub to the threshold of the Temple, and from the threshold to the courtyard, and from the courtyard to the altar, and from the altar to the roof, and from the roof to the wall, and from the wall to the city, and from the city to the mountain, and from the mountain to the wilderness; and from the wilderness it ascended and dwelt in its own place, as it is said: "I will go and return to My place" (Hosea 5:15). Rabbi Yochanan said: For six months the Divine Presence lingered in the wilderness for Israel, hoping that perhaps they would repent. When they did not repent, He said: Let them perish, as it is said: "But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit" (Job 11:20).