Novick - On the Wings of Shekhinah: Rediscovering Judaisms Divine Feminine

On the Wings of Shekhinah

Rediscovering Judaisms Divine Feminine

On the Wings of
Shekhinah

Rediscovering Judaisms Divine Feminine

Rabbi Lah Novick

Theosophical Publishing House
Wheaton, Illinois Chennai, India

Learn more about Rabbi Lah Novick and her work at www.questbooks.net

Copyright 2008 by Rabbi Lah Novick

First Quest Edition 2008

Quest Books

Theosophical Publishing House

PO Box 270

Wheaton, IL 60187-0270

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher of this book.

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While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

The author gratefully acknowledges permission to reproduce the following works:

Cover image: Miriam Yoram Raanan, www.yoramraanan.com

BRuchot Habaot (p. 128) Words and music by Debbie Friedman, The Farf Music, ASCAP. A Prayer to the Shekhinah (p. 137) reprinted by permission of Alicia Ostriker, The Nakedness of the Fathers: Biblical Visions and Revisions (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1992). Modern Blessing for the Sabbath before the New Moon (p. 172) by Cantor Linda Hirschorn and Sanctifying the New Moon (p. 172) by Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael quoted in Susan Berrin, ed., Celebrating the New Moon: A Rosh Chodesh Anthology. Northvale, NJ: Aronson, 1996. AYL NA REFA NA LA (p. 183) by Alan Scott Bachman.

Cover design, book design, and typesetting by Beth Hansen-Winter

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Novick, Lah.

On the wings of Shekhinah: rediscovering Judaisms divine feminine / Lah Novick.

1st Quest ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-8356-0861-9

1. God (Judaism). 2. FeminismReligious aspectsJudaism. 3. Presence of God.

4. Femininity of God. 5. Spiritual lifeJudaism. I. Title.

BM610.N68 2008

296.3112dc22 2008013553

ISBN for electronic edition, e-pub format: 978-0-8356-2152-6

5 4 3 2 1 * 08 09 10 11 12

Dedication

To my beloved rebbe and patient teacher,
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi,
who saw my path to Shekhinah even before I did

Contents

Preface

I offer this book as an appetizer, or what my grandmother Rochel Feige would have called in Yiddish ah fohrshpeiz. It is a tribute to the complex and brilliant world of Jewish sacred commentary. I stand in awe of those who came before me and devoted their lives to this exploration, and I bow with respect to the contemporary scholars who continue to study more deeply than I am able. I know I cannot do full justice to the scholarship that went into the evolution of the many faces and visions of the Shekhinah. However, I hope that this volume helps the reader understand that the inner vision of the Cosmic Mother has been with the Jewish people for thousands of years and continues to find new forms of expression.

Intentionally, I have not dealt with the whole area of scholarship that connects Shekhinah to the Wisdom tradition of the Proverbs and Ben Sira. That rich vein of literature, which has been covered by many gifted authors, is a different path than the one I have followed in tracing Shekhinahs presence through Jewish history.

Much has also been written about the potential connection of that literature to the Gnostic tradition. The great Gershom Scholem and other profound intellectuals have devoted significant discussion and analysis to the possible relationship of the Jewish Divine Feminine to Eastern philosophy. Contemporary scholars like Peter Schafer in Germany and Arthur Green have tried to make a case for the Marianic influence, dating the emergence of the Divine Feminine in the Zohar to the time in medieval Europe when veneration of the Virgin Mary was powerful. Such conversations are available for those who wish to take that road. For me, that line of intellectual analysis has felt like a detour from my own essential knowing of Shekhinah from within.

I have also not dealt with the mysterious experiences of the Merkavah (chariot mystics) of the first and second centuries, whose visions in their amazing spiritual journeys through the heavenly palaces emulated those of Ezekiel. Little in their literature specifically names Shekhinah, though it certainly hints that they brought her energy back with them from the higher realms.

Since the presence of Shekhinah in Jewish history is still not a topic being taught in most conventional Jewish settings, my goal is to make that information, which I have condensed considerably, more accessible for the lay reader. I present this material as an act of Holy Chutzpah. My defense is the commitment to bring Shekhinah back to this earth, in our time, and to celebrate the Divine Presence as I experience her in nature, by living in a state of greater openness and simplicity. The absence of the female voice and perspective in history has been part of a larger imbalance reflected in the chaotic and dangerous state of our planet. I continue to hope for a perspective that supports the full reemergence of the Great Mother and allows for a harmonious and integrated future for all people.

Acknowledgments

W ith profound gratitude to:

Shekhinah, who has graced me with Her Presence and sent emissarieshuman and divineto help bring my insights into written form.

Parents, grandparents, and ancestors, whose deep faith and devotion to Judaism created the pathway.

My three amazing childrenMindy, David, and Noahand five beautiful grandchildrenHadas, Ayelet, Shoshana, Yonah, and Hananwho radiate the light into the future.

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Master Teacher of Jewish Renewal, who welcomed me into his circle of disciples.

Dr. Daniel Matt and Rabbi Miles Krassen, who illuminate the study of Zohar and Chasidism.

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Ammachi, who embodies Shekhinahs love for all beings.

Devoted colleagues Rabbi Ayla Grafstein, Dr. Bill Little, and Reda Rackley, who provided inspiration and support.

My beloved Soul Memory teacher, Ellen Kaufman Dosick, and loyal soul sister June Sinclair, who have sustained me through many challenges.

Sri Karunamayi, who radiates the Mothers creativity and love.

Soul brother David Cushing Fuess, who keeps me on the path of joy.

Shekhinah support team: Susan Felix, Ljuba Davis, Helena Foster, and Corey Hansen-Joseph, who provide loving care and hospitality.

Shekhinahs musicians, who have accompanied me on the journey: Alan and Andalin Bachman, Sophia Roberts, Alisa Fineman, Geela Rayzel Raphael, and Shana Winokur.