History of Meditation in Judaism

Meditation Traditions In Judaism

Meditation, mantras, chanting, and consciousness teachings are ancient spiritual practices that saturate the traditions of the Jewish faith. Thematic roots can be found in the Torah and Talmud, and they are overtly prescribed in many rabbinic teachings dating back to the 11th century.

Many Jewish meditative techniques are passed down via oral tradition, but in a modern context, Judaism views some prayer traditions as a form of meditation for bonding with and connecting to the ultimate Source of spirituality.[1]

Jewish Faith Fathers Who Influenced Meditation

While it’s easy to confuse Jewish meditative techniques with those of Eastern religions, like Buddhist practices or Hinduism, several distinctions reveal a very different intention and purpose behind meditation and mindfulness in pondering the work and character of God, loving their neighbor, and experiencing a personal transformation of the light of the soul.

Faith Fathers From the Tanakh

Isaac

Son of Abraham and father of Jacob, Isaac is recorded as seeking solitude in the fields to meditate,

And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening…

Genesis 24:63a ESV

Moses

Though not explicitly stated in the Torah, Jewish tradition holds that Moses is the author of the Books of the Law, including Deuteronomy, whether by his own hand or by dictation. However, authorship is less important to our purpose, and the truths communicated in the book of Deuteronomy deeply resonate with Jewish meditative techniques today.

Joshua

Maimonides

Maimonides lived from 1138 to 1204 and was a revered Rabbinic authority and philosopher. In his work, The Guide To The Perplexed, he teaches that one needs both cognitive focus and intuitive imagination to interpret the Divine.[2] The terms “hitbodedut” and “hitbonenut” are often referred to in the Guide, which communicates the idea of self-seclusion, examining, understanding, reflecting, and considering a text or truth for greater understanding as part of Jewish meditation.

The Kabbalists

Kabbalah is a form of Jewish mysticism from the medieval age, which translated means “tradition” or “receiving.” [3] The founders of this approach see the Divine as a metaphysical reality found within the self.

They were deeply concerned with understanding the divine world and, specifically, the miracle of creation. They held that while we cannot fully comprehend God, we can understand Him enough to describe Him with 10 mystical attributes or radiant dimensions.

Sefer Yetzirah is a sacred work of Kabbalah that describes the creation event using Hebrew letters and numbers, used in meditation practices. These Kabbalists built on the meditation techniques of their forefathers, offering a symbolic map of the divine realm as the backdrop for visualization and transformation.

Baal Shem Tov

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Meditation Traditions of Judaism

Mitzvah

Mitzvah prayers and meditations embody the idea of pursuing something greater outside of ourselves. They’re often memorized and used ritually to enlighten a connection to God, greater consciousness, and fulfillment, all stemming from a meditative prayer discipline.

The official teachings on Prayer, found in Mitzvah 7, say:[6]

Prayer is the service of the heart. We are required to praise Hashem, ask Him to fill our needs, and thank Him for His help daily. Prayer is so basic and fundamental that it stems from the very beginning of our history.

There are many rote and memorized prayers in Jewish traditions, including the Shema, which begins with:[7]

Hear, O Israel, the L-rd is our G‑d, the L-rd is One. Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever…

The recitation continues through the rest of the passage, and the instruction is to close your eyes, eliminate distractions, and recite the verses in a reverent undertone.

Shalom Shalom

The Hebrew word “shalom” has multiple implications other than “peace.” It also communicates completeness, serenity, and soundness of mind. Isaiah 26:3 says,

You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.

ESV

“Perfect peace” here is translated from “shalom shalom” in the original Hebrew, which communicates the absence of conflict and profound serenity grounded in wholehearted reliance on God. It implies the quest for “perfect peace” is found when the “mind is stayed on” God, a clear meditation technique.

Concentrating on Shviti

Shviti (meaning “I have placed”) is a graphic that depicts the passages from the book of Psalms (16:8 and 67) in Hebrew letters displayed in the shape of a temple lampstand with the sacred name of God at the center. Practitioners of Shviti meditation trace the depicted letters in their minds, maintaining a constant mental image of God’s name.

This graphic is used in mystic Jewish meditation practices for concentration and urges one to pray with an intentional consciousness of God. This Shviti meditation technique of concentrating on the Divine name of YHWH is intended to spark introspection, create vivid visualizations, and gain emotional insights.

Hitbodedut and Mindful Judaism

Hitbodedut is a prayerful meditation where one speaks with God, asking for help and guidance in reconnecting with our inner divine spark. This form of meditation can be spoken or contemplative, each uniting us closer to God.