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Jewish meditation, which in Hebrew is called hisbonenus or hitbonenut, is explained most explicitely in the Kabbalistic and Chassidic texts. The word "hisbonenus" derives from the Hebrew word Binah (lit. understaning) and refers to the process of understanding through analytical study. While the word hisbonenus can be applied to analytical study of any topic, it is generally used to refer to study of the Torah, and particularly the explanations of Kabbalah, in order to achieve a greater understaning and appreciation of G-d.
Chochma, Binah, and Daas
According to the Kaballah, every intellectual process must incorporate three faculties: Chochma, Binah, and Daas. Chochma (lit. wisdom) is the mind's ability to come up with a new insight into a concept that one did not know before. Binah (lit. understanding) is the mind's ability to take a new insight (from Chochma), analyze all of its implications and simplify the concept so it is understood well. Daas (lit.knowledge), the third stage, is the mind's ability to focus and hold its attention on the Chochma and the Binah.
The fact that Jewish meditation is called Hisbonenus, which refers to Binah, represents an important difference between Jewish and other forms of meditation. Most forms of meditation intend to help a person achieve the insight of Chochma; to gain a new realization into the nature of the world, G-d, reality, or whatever. Most forms of meditation try to achieve this with the faculty of Daas, deep concentration. Kabbalah and Chassidic philosophy, however, reject the notion that any new insight can come from mere concentration. They explain that while "Daas" is a necessary component of cognition, it is like an empty vessel without the learning and analysis and study that comes through the faculty of Binah. According to Chassidic philosophy, just as a scientist's new insight or discovery (Chochma) always results from prior in-depth study and analysis of his topic (Binah), likewise, to gain any insight in G-dliness can only come through in-depth study of the explanations of Kabbalah and Chassidic philosophy.
Chassidic masters warn that deep concentration devoid of intellectual content for extended periods of time leads to sensory deprivation, hallucinations, and insanity, which some tragically mistake for spiritual enlightenment. Chassidic masters say that enlightenment commensurates with one's understanding of the Torah and specifically the explanations of Kaballah and Chassidic philosophy. Schneuri, Dovber (Printed in 1995, then again in 2003). Ner Mitzva Vetorah Or. Kehot Publication Society ISBN 0-8266-5496-7
Common mistranslation
A proper understanding of the concept of hisbonenus, as explained above, yields the conclusion that translating hisbonenus as "meditation" is inaccurate. "Meditation" refers to the mind's ability to concentrate (Daas), which in Hebrew is called Haamokas HaDaas. Hisbonenus, which refers to the process of analysis (Binah) is more properly translated as "in-depth analytical study". (Ibid.)
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