Devekut
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Devekut, debekuth, deveikuth or deveikus (דבקות; traditionally "clinging on" to God) is a Jewish concept referring to closeness to God. It may refer to a deep, trance-like meditative state attained during Jewish prayer, Torah study, or when performing the 613 commandments. It is particularly associated with the Jewish mystical tradition.
Etymology
דבק, or deveq, the modern Hebrew word for
It refers to the highest form of love for God, which is a human's view of the divine. It is a balance between love of God and consumption by the fires of God. It is described as the love of a moth for the flame (you are the moth, God is the flame). Devakuth is the highest form of any love, because it is a humble holding back of oneself from the fires of God, while dancing as close as possible to the flames. To dance with and prolong one's longing for God (to be thankful for the longing alone) until one is burning with that longing is Devakuth. It is not a meditative state, it is a revelry. One's suffering and longing for the flame of God is higher than one's desire to meet that flame. When accomplished Devakuth is a thing of true beauty and power. To simply call it "clinging," is to miss this deeper, trickier "respectful withholding" aspect of the word's particular meaning. [citation needed]
Deveikut and Jewish observance
Deveikut in cleaving to the Tzadik
The early Hasidic movement around the
Deveikut and Teshuvah
Repentance in Judaism Teshuva "Return" |
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Repentance, atonement and higher ascent in Judaism |
In the Hebrew Bible |
Aspects |
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In the Jewish calendar |
In contemporary Judaism |
Teshuvah, often translated into English as "Repentance", literally means "Return" to God in Judaism.
In Hasidic lore, the path of
Deveikut and Hasidic prayer
The
The saintly prayers of the Baal Shem Tov and his close circle were unable to lift a harsh Heavenly decree they perceived one Rosh Hashanah (New Year). After extending the prayers beyond their time, the danger remained. An unlettered shepherd boy entered and was deeply envious of those who could read the holy day's prayers. He said to God "I don't know how to pray, but I can make the noises of the animals of the field. "With great feeling, he cried out, "Cock-a-doodle-do. God have mercy!" Immediately, joy overcame the Baal Shem Tov, and he hurried to finish the day's prayers. Afterwards, he explained that the heartfelt prayer of the shepherd boy opened the Gates of Heaven, and the decree was lifted.
Through this emphasis, Hasidism popularised
A part this simple and emphatic inclusion in meditation for God, in the text Likutey Halakhot of Breslov hassidic groups, they teach one of the most hidden form of jewish prayers: one prayer is usually realized after some time, for example to have good business, sons and other important desires of religious man, but this is manifestation before or at the instant of "Devekut", as follow:
The Tabernacle was the resting place for the
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
"Devekut" will be direct real revelation of good jewish intention to do
Musical expression of Deveikut in Niggunim
A revival of interest in
Different
There are nigunim for private meditation, often in prayer, called devekus nigunim. These are usually slower than communal nigunim, and without lyrics. The Baal Shem Tov spoke of devekus nigunim as "songs that transcend syllables and sound". Several tunes attributed to him are still used today.
Some niggunim originate from non-Jewish sources. Hasidic custom, based on a practice of the Baal Shem Tov, adapted secular anthems, marches and folk songs, ascribing to them a new spiritual interpretation. Hasidic belief is that these songs, in their secular forms, are in spiritual exile. By adapting them to liturgical forms, they are raising "Sparks of Holiness", based on the Kabbalistic rectification of Isaac Luria.
On
Deveikut and Mitzvot
There is a historical debate in
In the profound dimension of
As he recited the blessing prior to the act, he dwelt on the holy commandment he was about to perform. "Blessed art Thou, God..", he began. "..Who commands us concerning Shechita", he concluded in such fervour that he lost all sense of his surroundings. Opening his eyes after the blessing, he looked around to find an empty room, with the chicken escaped. "Where is the chicken" he began asking!
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A Hasidic aphorism advises lighting a fire, rather than donning a fur coat to warm up; analogous to its aims of popularising mysticism, encouragement over admonishment, and rejection of asceticism
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Hasidism comprises both elite contemplation of God, and popular deveikut to the Tzadik. The doctrine of "Popular Tzadikism" innovated social institution in Jewish mysticism[8]
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song over traditional added study, is to seek to open receptivity and self-accounting
See also
Jewish mysticism:
Practices:
- Jewish meditation
- Jewish prayer
- Mitzvot
- Niggun
- Teshuvah
- Tzedakah
Concepts:
- Awe of God
- Ayin and Yesh
- Inner dimensions of the Sephirot
- Jewish theology of love
- Love of God
- Ohr
- Bhakti yoga
References
- ^ A circle of pneumatics in pre-Hasidism: Article in Studies in East European Jewish Mysticism and Hasidism, Joseph Weiss, Littman Library of Jewish Civilization
- ^ God and the Tzadik as the two focal points of Hasidic worship, Ada Rapoport-Albert in Essential Papers on Hasidism, edited by Gershon David Hundert, New York University Press
- ^ Comminicating the Infinite: The emergence of the Habad school, Naftali Loewenthal, University of Chicago Press
- Teshuvah began with the seminal stories, parables and teachings of the Baal Shem Tov
- Talmudicaphorism that the Baal Shem Tov put at the centre of his teaching
- Neo-Hasidic Abraham Joshua Heschel said that his famous participation in the Selma to Montgomery marchesfelt like the pilgrimage of a Hasid to his Rebbe
- ^ Walking as a Sacred Duty: Theological Transformation of Social Reality in Early Hasidism by Elliot R Wolfson, in Hasidism Reappraised edited by Ada Rapoport-Albert. Littman
- ^ The Zaddik: The Interrelationship between religious Doctrine and Social Organization by Immanuel Etkes, in Hasidism Reappraised
External links
- My Jewish Learning: Devekut
- Devekut.com A compendium of teachings related to devekut