The Shekhinah Under The Khuppah

The word “Shekhinah” (shoreish: שכן) refers to the esoteric idea that this softer, relatively less immense energy of G-d could dwell in the physical world (without literally killing someone in the process). In simplest terms, Shekhinah means “Divine Presence”.

If the full force of Hashem was in the physical world, it would be impossible for us to physically be alive since He is all-powerful, and how can one withstand His energy? Proof of this idea? The fact that when HaShem interacts in the physical world, there’s a sense of energy radiating from what he’s communicating through. The burning bush and the cloud hovering about Bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel) in Bamidbar (wilderness) is a clear example of this.

The Hebrew word “Shekhinah” has the same shoreish (root) as Mishkan (tabernacle) – the dwelling place of HaShem in this world. The Mishkan was a temporary, portable sanctuary, the Base Hamikdosh (Holy Temple) was a non-moving structure. Ideally, this is how marriage should be. The relationship we hThe Qave with Ha-Kadosh Boruch-Hu is one where we claim that we can be the only one who has the Shekhinah which is why we have extended prohibitions against intermarriage and idolatry. Since the Shekhinah can only rest with us, then we can only be with members of our nation. 

Marriage is a sacred and mystical concept that can not be scientifically explained. Adam was born from the ground. His Hebrew name literally implies that he is an Earthling. Khava was brought from the flesh of Adam. They are one flesh. Being married in the Kosher way is important.Some believe that the Shekhinah can rest upon one who gets married. Thus, one can not [spiritually] afford to ruin the sanctity of marriage through a treif relationship. A Jewish man can only share his [full] flesh with the Jewish woman he is married to. He can only give his seed to his wife. That is the start of a pure marriage. 

A Jewish person isn’t married until certain things happen. There is a written document that is accompanied by two witnesses. This marriage document should be kept in the possession of the woman’s home at all times. Then, there’s the Khuppah (commonly spelled “Chuppah”).

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The above image is the Khuppah. This can be interpreted as a filter which minimizing the energy radiating from the Shekhinah. Thus, we can feel it on a level that is the safest and closest for us.] From one  of my own experiences being near the Khuppah, at my friend’s Khasunah, I felt a powerful sense of energy under the Khuppah. What was more interesting is that only the parts of me that were physically under the khuppah were experiencing this explainable force. Then, I put my hand under the Khuppah and experienced this incredible feeling. The Shekhinah can not rest with those who lack happiness. The Simḥah felt at a Khasunah is an important part of our spiritual growth.