A SH’VITI refers to the diagrammatic rendering of a particular Jewish proverb that advocates consistent realization of God’s presence. “Sh’viti Adonai, l’negdi tamid,” from psalm 16 -- “I have set God before me always.”

The Shviti is drawn in the shape of a seven-branched menorah, like the one that served in the Temple in

Jerusalem.

Shviti (“I have set”) is related to the word hishtavut (“sameness”). Whatever happens to us, it should be all the same -- whether people praise or insult us; everything comes from God

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that, having set God always before me, I should respond with equanimity to whatever arises. Whether someone praises me or insults me, whether the food before me is good or bad -- whether listerners  like my music or not -- I should acknowledge that God is the source of whatever is. If God is always before me, then I can find blessing in all things, even those which appear at first glance to be negative.

One of Reb Zalman’s meditations on the Shviti is a four-line chant: “It is perfect / You are loved / All is clear, and / I am holy.” The four lines of this round can represent the four letters in the Name, and/or the four worlds.

How does equanimity manifest in the FOUR WORLDS? In the world of assiyah, action and physicality, everything is perfect -- maybe not according to our limited understanding, but from God’s point of view. In the world of yetzirah, emotions and the heart, we are loved -- as our liturgy reminds us daily. In the world of briyah, thought and intellect, all is clear -- all obstacles to understanding are products of mochin d’katnut, small consciousness, and not ultimately real. And in the world of atzilut, essence, God is all that exists.

In light of these teachings, the clamor of ego and the inclination toward gratification are simply things to notice and then release. If I keep God always before me, then equanimity naturally follows.

These plaques were always to be found somewhere on the bima of old orthodox synagogues, as a traditional object of concentration and meditation. Many local Jewish booksellers carry Shviti posters that you can frame and hang at home for your own meditations. You can find them online as well.