The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah, touches on just that.
It tells us something fascinating about leaving the presence of the King – and when it says "King," it means the Holy One, blessed be He. The Tikkunei Zohar instructs that all who exit the King’s house should take three steps backward, so as not to turn their shoulders away from the blessed Holy One (Tikkunei Zohar 74). You might be thinking, three steps? Why three?
Well, think about it. It's about respect, isn't it? It's about acknowledging the presence you’ve just been in, even as you depart. The Talmud (BT Yoma 53a–b) also mentions this practice. It's a physical manifestation of reverence, a way of saying, "I'm not just walking away. I'm carrying this experience with me."
But it goes deeper than mere etiquette. The Tikkunei Zohar then makes a profound statement: "For there is no more cherished gift (dorona) before the blessed Holy One, than the gift of the Shekhinah."
Shekhinah. That glorious, multifaceted concept. Often translated as "Divine Presence," the Shekhinah is seen as the feminine aspect of God, the immanent presence that dwells among us, within us. Some see the Shekhinah as a gift that we, humanity, can offer back to God.
So, what does it mean to "gift" the Shekhinah? It means to elevate the Divine Presence through our actions, our thoughts, our very being. It means recognizing the sacred in the everyday and striving to bring holiness into the world. When we act with kindness, when we pursue justice, when we connect with the Divine, we are, in essence, offering the Shekhinah back to the Holy One.
And that's where the next line hits with such force: "Worthy are those arms that raise Her towards Him, with phylacteries on their hands and upon their heads!" Phylacteries, or tefillin, are those small leather boxes containing scrolls with scriptural verses, worn by observant Jews during morning prayer. They are a tangible reminder of our connection to God, a physical embodiment of our devotion.
The Tikkunei Zohar is saying that when we use our bodies, our actions, our very selves to elevate the Shekhinah, we are doing something truly worthy. "Worthy are those feet and body and hands, and each-and-every limb, by whose means the gift ascends to the blessed Holy One!"
It's a powerful image, isn't it? Every part of us, every action we take, can be an offering, a way to bring the Divine closer. It’s not just about ritual, though ritual is important. It's about imbuing our lives with intention, with a conscious awareness of the sacred.
So, the next time you leave a synagogue, a temple, or any place you've felt a deep connection to the Divine, remember those three steps. Remember the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence that dwells within you and all around you. And remember that every action, every thought, is an opportunity to elevate that Presence, to offer it back to the Holy One, blessed be He. How will you choose to make that offering today?