Jewish tradition has a powerful way of visualizing that feeling, especially when it comes to exile and redemption. It involves the Shekhinah.
The Shekhinah (שְׁכִינָה) is a Hebrew word often translated as "divine presence," the immanent aspect of God that dwells within the world. And according to Jewish mystical thought, the Shekhinah doesn't just hang out in some far-off heaven. Instead, Jewish tradition teaches us that the Shekhinah goes where we go.
Think about it: Whenever Israel went into exile, the Shekhinah was right there with them. It’s a profound image, isn't it? It means that even in the darkest, most desolate places, we are never truly alone. The Shekhinah shares our fate. As Schwartz writes in Tree of Souls, the fate of the Shekhinah and the people of Israel is entirely entwined.
When the people were exiled to Babylon, the Shekhinah was there. When they were exiled to Elam, the Shekhinah was with them. Even when they were exiled in Edom, the Shekhinah remained a constant presence.
Where do we find hints of this? Well, the tradition links the presence of the Shekhinah in Babylon to the verse, "On your account I was sent to Babylon" (Isaiah 43:14). Similarly, the verse "And I will set My throne in Elam" (Jeremiah 49:38) is linked to the presence of the Shekhinah there. And the presence of the Shekhinah in Edom? That's linked to the verse "Who is this who is coming from Edom?" (Isaiah 63:1). These aren't coincidences, but rather, scriptural echoes of this enduring connection.
And it wasn’t just in exile. Remember the Israelites journeying through the wilderness after the Exodus? According to Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Sifre on Numbers, and other sources, the Shekhinah went in front of them, guiding their path. They followed Her guidance. The Shekhinah was accompanied by clouds of glory, and when She journeyed, the Israelites took up their march.
The texts paint such a vivid picture of this journey. When the Shekhinah ascended, the cloud also ascended on high, "so that all men looked up and asked: Who is She that comes up from the desert like columns of smoke?" (Song of Songs 3:6). What a powerful image!
The Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah, adds a fascinating detail to this image. It tells us that the cloud of the Shekhinah looked like smoke because the fire that Abraham and his son Isaac kindled clung to it and never left it. Because of that fire, it ascended both as cloud and smoke, perfumed with the memory of their devotion. There was the cloud of Abraham on the right and the cloud of Isaac on the left.
And what about the future? What happens when exile ends? The promise is just as powerful: When Israel returns from exile, the Shekhinah will return with them, as it is said, "With me from Lebanon, O bride, with me you shall come from Lebanon" (Song of Songs 4:8). The return is a shared journey, a reunion with the Divine Presence that has always been with us.
So what does this all mean? It's more than just a nice story. It's a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are not abandoned. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, the Shekhinah, that spark of the Divine, is with us, sharing our journey, our struggles, and our hopes for redemption. Perhaps, understanding this profound connection can offer us a sense of comfort, strength, and maybe even a little bit of hope, as we navigate our own exiles, both personal and collective.