אֵין הַשְּׁכִינָה שׁוֹרָה אֶלָּא בְּאָהֳלֵי שֵׁם

ביטוי (אנגלית)

The Divine Presence dwells only in the tents of Shem

הגדרה (אנגלית)

The Divine Presence rests only where Torah is studied. By extension: an atmosphere of holiness and spiritual elevation is found only in a place of learning (Shem is the son of Noah, from whom, according to tradition, Abraham descended).

("May God enlarge Japheth (Genesis 9) – this refers to Cyrus, who decreed that the Temple should be built. Nevertheless, 'He shall dwell in the tents of Shem' – the Divine Presence rests only in the tents of Shem. Bar Kappara said: Let the words of Torah be spoken in the language of Japheth within the tents of Shem" – Genesis Rabbah (Vilna), Parashat Noach, section 36)