Devekut

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Cleaving to God

TANAKH

Achieving devekut, or cleaving to God, is central to Jewish spiritual practice. The book of Deuteronomy emphasizes the importance of keeping the commandments, loving God, walking in God's ways, and holding fast to God.

If, then, you faithfully keep all this Instruction that I command you, loving your God יהוה, walking in all God’s ways, and holding fast to [God],

Deuteronomy 11:22

Yearning for the Divine

JEWISH THOUGHT

The development of the human spirit and mind is essential for yearning for the Divine good, which lays the groundwork for Divine revelation and the influence of Torah and prophecy. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook’s Shemonah Kevatzim explores the spiritual and intellectual growth necessary for connecting with the Divine.

The development of the spirit of man prepares the essence of his mind and his innermost desire to yearn for the complete good—i.e., the Divine good. [That yearning] is the basis of the goal [that one will attain] all Divine revelation and that the Torah and prophecy will have an influence on the world.

Shemonah Kevatzim 1:109:1

Practical Paths to Divine Closeness

TALMUD

Cleaving to the Divine Presence can be achieved through practical actions that support Torah scholars. The Talmudic tractate Ketubot interprets Deuteronomy 30:20 to mean that supporting Torah scholars is akin to cleaving to the Divine Presence.

Ketubot 111b:8

Journey to Divine Connection

KABBALAH

The virtues of achieving cleaving to God are subtly and indirectly conveyed, requiring deep contemplation and inference. Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag’s Kuntres Matan Torah uses analogies and hints to explore the profound spiritual significance of receiving the Torah.

6. What are the virtues of one who achieved cleaving to blessed God? They are not clearly expressed anywhere, except by subtle hints. However, in order to explain these matters in my article, I must reveal a little, as necessity dictates, and explain these matters with an analogy.

Kuntres Mattan Torah, On the Completion of The Zohar 16

The Source of Devotional Oneness

CHASIDUT

The concept of 'atzilus' as the cosmic counterpart to the 'chayah' part of the human soul reveals the profound source of deveikus, or devotional oneness. In Jewish mysticism, 'atzilus' is the highest of the four spiritual worlds, and 'chayah' is a level of the soul associated with divine connection.

Atzilus is all good and it produces the chayah part of the human soul. Chayah is the source of deveikus, devotional oneness, and what chayah is in the human is what atzilus is to the cosmos.

Flames of Faith 9:21

The Pinnacle of Wisdom

JEWISH THOUGHT

Kabbalistic knowledge is considered the highest form of wisdom, essential for elite Torah scholars to truly know and cleave to the Lord. Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, a leading figure in Religious Zionism, emphasizes the necessity of engaging in Kabbalah with purity, joy, and modesty.

5. About the truth of Kabbalistic knowledge. About the necessity for its existence. About the attainments of those who know it and are involved with it. About its universal benefit and that it is exalted beyond any sort of wisdom and is superior to any type of knowledge. The necessity for the elite [Torah scholars] to engage in it with purity of heart and pure joy and modesty in order to know the Lord and cleave to Him, may He be exalted.

Musar Avikha, Introduction 2:6

A Beloved Companion

COMMENTARY

Rashi uses intimate and metaphorical language to describe a personal and emotional connection to the Divine. Rashi, the medieval French rabbi, provides a profound interpretation of the term 'רפק' from Arabic to illustrate deep attachment to God.

Clinging to her beloved. She is attached to her Beloved, admitting that she is His companion and attached to Him. “רפק” [is found] in the Arabic word “רפקתא,” [which means] attachment.

Rashi on Song of Songs 8:5:2

Clinging to the Divine Through Torah

MUSAR

Clinging to the Torah is essential for achieving Devekut, as the Divine Presence only settles where Torah is studied. The 17th-century ethical and mystical work, Kav HaYashar, emphasizes the spiritual benefits and consequences of Torah study.

One great strategy for achieving this is by clinging to the Torah, for through this one clings to the Shechinah even during one’s life. Then all the more so will one merit clinging to it after death. Thus it is related in the Zohar (Parashas Va’eschanan 268a): Rabbi Acha and Rabbi Elazar were standing together one evening after midnight engaged in study. Rabbi Elazar began a discourse: “It is written, ‘For it is your life and the length of your days that you may dwell upon the earth’ (Devarim 30:20). Come and see…

Kav HaYashar 57:5

The Power of Personal Prayer

CHASIDUT

Personal prayer and seclusion in one's native language are presented as the most powerful methods to achieve closeness to God. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a prominent Hasidic master, emphasizes the practice of 'hitbodedut' (self-seclusion and personal prayer) as essential for spiritual growth.

It has already been explained how important it is to seclude yourself and pray, and how powerful a method this is. It is the path by which we can come close to God. Everybody should set aside fixed periods every day and express himself before God in his own native language. It is much easier to say what you need to say when you are using your own language. You should set forth whatever is in your heart. Use every kind of appeal and argument. Use words that will endear you to God and win His favor. Plead with Him to draw you closer…

Likkutei Etzot, Hitbodedut 13

Holding Onto the Lifeline

MIDRASH

Cleaving to the mitzvot is likened to holding onto a lifeline in water, essential for achieving sanctity and life. The medieval midrash Bamidbar Rabbah, an 11th-century midrash on the book of Numbers, emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the consequences of straying from them.

“You shall not rove after your heart” – the heart and the eyes are the mediators of the body, as they cause the body to stray. “So that you will remember, and perform all My commandments” – this is analogous to one cast into the water. The captain extended the rope and said to him: ‘Grasp this rope in your hand and do not let it go, as if you let it go, you will have no life.’ This, too, is what the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘As long as you cleave to the mitzvot – “but you, who cleave to the Lord your God, all of you live today”’ (Deuteronomy 4:4)…

Bamidbar Rabbah 17:6

Awakening and Maintaining a Connection with God

CHASIDUT

Devekut, or clinging to God, requires continuous and conscious effort, even outside formal religious practices. Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira’s early 20th-century work, Chovat HaTalmidim, guides young Jews in spiritual growth and maintaining a constant connection with God.

But this will not be effective if your spirit - through which you want to elevate yourself and get close to God - is hidden from you; if it is hidden in your body and sleeping in your physicality. So if you don't arouse it from its permanent sleep and don't uncover it from the reed sheet under which it is buried, how will it be elevated and how will it approach the Holy One of Israel? In addition, you should know that awakening a holy spirit is not like awakening a sleeping body. The latter is awoken all at once, whereas the spirit requires continuous work in order to awaken it…

Chovat HaTalmidim 9:3

Awakening Divine Delight

CHASIDUT

Rejoicing and yearning for God's presence can awaken a spark of divine delight in one's heart. Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira’s early 20th-century work, Bnei Machshava Tova, emphasizes the importance of joy and divine presence in spiritual gatherings.

When you arrive at your meeting place, you should certainly rejoice and bear in mind that God’s Holy Presence is in your midst. “My spirit is sick with love for You; please, God, heal it by showing it the delight of Your radiance” (Yedid Nefesh). Awaken a yearning that God reveal in your heart a spark of the delight of His radiance and the beauty of His might that is found here.

Bnei Machshava Tova, Proposed Amendments 8:2

Clinging to God through the Wise

HALAKHAH

To truly cling to God, one must associate closely with Torah scholars and learn from their wisdom and actions. Rambam’s famed 12th-century code of Jewish law, Mishneh Torah, provides practical guidance on how to fulfill the commandment of clinging to God by engaging with Torah Sages and their disciples.

It is a positive commandment to cleave unto the wise and their disciples in order to learn from their deeds as [Deuteronomy 10:20] states: "and you will cling to Him."
Our Sages [questioned the nature of this command for] is it possible for man to cling to the Divine Presence? They [resolved the difficulty,] explaining this commandment to mean: Cleave unto the wise and their disciples.
Therefore, one should try to marry the daughter of a Torah Sage and marry his daughter to a Torah Sage, eat and drink with Sages, do business on behalf of Sages…

Mishneh Torah, Human Dispositions 6:2

The Path to Devekut

COMMENTARY

Achieving Devekut requires a personal and intense effort, focusing on long-term dedication and the purification of actions solely for the sake of God. Rabbi Raphael ben Zechariah Mendel's work emphasizes the importance of pure intentions in religious practice, reflecting a deep commitment to spiritual purification and devotion.

i.e. For twenty five years, I studied how to reach this trait, to purify my actions to G-d alone, without any other motive. This was my primary study and toil.

Marpeh la'Nefesh, Introduction of the Author 63

Bringing Shabbat into the Week

CHASIDUT

Imagine infusing the holiness of Shabbat into every day of the week through heartfelt devotion. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov’s Likutei Tefilot offers prayers that transform the mundane into the sacred through song, praise, joy, and awe.

Let me also honor Shabbat with a beautiful “dwelling place” and “vessels” in my heart and limbs. And let me honor Shabbat with song, praise, exultation, joy and delight, with the deepest awe and love, and with intense attachment to Your great and holy Name. Then I will be able to draw the holiness of Shabbat into the six days of the week, until all the six working days will have the purity and holiness of Shabbat.

Likutei Tefilot, Volume I 38:75

Attachment Through Torah Study

JEWISH THOUGHT

During the concentrated study of Torah, one is inherently attached to God's will and words. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin’s Nefesh HaChayim emphasizes the spiritual significance of Torah study as a direct connection to God.

And during the involvement with and concentrated study of Torah, it’s certain that there’s no need then for the matter of attachment at all, as discussed previously. For via the involvement and concentrated study themselves is he attached to His (blessed be He) will and words, and He (blessed be He) and His will are identical.

Nefesh HaChayim, Gate IV 10:1

Yearning for Divine Closeness

COMMENTARY

The personal and intimate yearning for closeness to God is a profound aspect of Jewish spirituality. Psalm 63, attributed to King David, is a heartfelt expression of longing for God's presence and is often recited during personal reflection or distress.

My soul clings to You; it desires Your closeness, for Your right hand has supported me.

Steinsaltz on Psalms 63:9

Western Wall by Ephraim Moses Lilien 1910, {{PD-US-expired}}

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