shechinah

/ʃ(ə)ˈxiːnə/

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew שְׁכִינָה (shkhiná, literally “act of dwelling”).

Why this word is great

SHECHINAH — [Noun] The divine presence as an indwelling, localized manifestation of God in Jewish thought. From Hebrew שְׁכִינָה (shkhiná, 'act of dwelling'), derived from the root שכן (shachen, 'to dwell, settle down'). Unlike 'glory' (which dazzles with transcendent majesty) or 'omnipresence' (which diffuses divinity thinly across all creation), Shechinah is the quiet weight of the sacred settling into a particular place—a cleft in the rock, the hush of the Tabernacle, the warmth of Sabbath candles at dusk. It is not lightning but embers; not the voice from the whirlwind, but the breath just felt on the back of the neck when you think you are alone. God, choosing to be near.

noun

  1. the presence of God.“The Sh'khinah suffers with Israel in exile and will return with it at the time of redemption.”