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Holy Spirit
- Jewish Publication Society
- Chapter
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Holy Spirit Aaron Singer T he holy spirit is the conventional translation of the Hebrew term rua~ ha-kodesh. Since this rendering has obfuscated the divergent development of the concept in rabbinic and Christian theology, the Hebrew designation has been retained in the present discussion of the rabbinic concept. Although different shades of meaning emerge from a study of the term, rua~ ha-kodesh turns on the axis of God's self-revelation to man. Whatever the philological origins, rua~ ha-kodesh has come to signify a prophetic spirit that graces an individual or community. The bearer experiences a clairvoyance that enables him to discern an event or human encounter in the continuum of time and space, illuminate a text of the Torah, be inspired to transcribe a book of Scripture, and, in some cases, perform supernatural feats. Rua~ ha-kodesh also manifests itself as a personification of the holy writ or as a divine epithet. In this capacity, rua~ ha-kodesh quotes Scripture to admonish, comfort, and guide Israel. The Holy Spirit in the dogma of the early church becomes a coeternal hypostasis in the doctrine of the Trinity. 410 HOLY SPIRIT Rua~ ha-kodesh, on the other hand, is a didactic dramatization of God's immediacy and not a substantive intermediary between God and man. In rabbinic literature, rua~ ha-kodesh plays an active role in the haggadahic narrative of the Bible. The prophetic spirit supplies Adam with names to give the creatures God has created; appears in the courts of Shem, Samuel , and Solomon; advises Sarah; enlightens jacob as to the future of his sons; flees from Moses due to the unworthiness of the Israel that worshiped the golden calf, and inspires David and Solomon to compose the books of Psalms and Ecclesiastes, respectively. Rua~ ha-kodesh was attributed to forty-eight men and seven women of the Bible, and it was taught that rua~ ha-kodesh was abundant in Israel before the disappearance of Elijah. The rabbinic sages report that the prophetic spirit rested on such colleagues as Rabbis Akiva, Simeon bar Yohai, Meir, Gamliel, and Phinehas ben jair, and they continue to employ personifications of rua~ ha-kodesh in their teachings. Although the term rua~ ha-kodesh covers all degrees of prophecy, the nature and function of this low-keyed prophetic spirit must be distinguished from biblical prophecy. As a king is compared to the statue promulgated in his likeness, so is biblical prophecy to all other, diminished, forms of prophecy . The prophet is compelled to admonish Israel for its sins and call for repentance before it is too late. He is often caught between the fire of his divine mission and his love of Israel. When tragedy and despair overwhelm Israel, he comforts it with messianic visions of better days. In contrast, the nonbiblical rua~ ha-kodesh falls like a gentle rain, rather than a cataclysmic whirlwind, on its recipient. There is no radical reordering of one's life, no compelling vocation to speak the word of the Lord; merely an experience of illumination, a feeling of exaltation. Like other forms of theophany in rabbinic teaching, rua~ ha-kodesh is associated with man's religious and moral behavior. Rua~ ha-kodesh is a gift, not a burden, that is linked to performing a mi~ah (religious precept) or living an exemplary life. Further, the experience of rua~ ha-kodesh enables the righteous to enlarge the circle of his righteousness. Through the good offices of rua~ ha-kodesh, for example , Rabbi Meir was able to mend a serious breach in the marriage of one of his disciples. Some of the characteristic behavior that is associated with rua~ ha-kodesh may be found in one who teaches Torah publicly, studies Torah in order to put it into practice, performs deeds of loving-kindness, is joyful of heart, sighs for the honor of God and Israel and pines for jerusalem, and sacrifices self for the people of Israel. Equally instructive are the acts that drive rua~ ha-kodesh away, such as arrogance, insensitivity to the anguish of others, [13.59.82.167] Project MUSE (2024-04-17 22:06 GMT) HOLY SPIRIT 411 living outside of the land of Israel, being a member of an unworthy generation , or committing one of the cardinal sins of shedding innocent blood or practicing immorality or idolatry. As a poetic personification of holy writ or a divine epithet, rua~ ha-kodesh poignantly expresses God's pathos for his people. He cries...