Song-of-Songs Chap-1

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Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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 “Song of Songs Chapter 1”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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1. The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים, אֲשֶׁר לִשְׁלֹמֹה

2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for thy love is better than wine.

יִשָּׁקֵנִי מִנְּשִׁיקוֹת פִּיהוּ, כִּי-טוֹבִים דֹּדֶיךָ מִיָּיִן

3. Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love thee.

לְרֵיחַ שְׁמָנֶיךָ טוֹבִים, שֶׁמֶן תּוּרַק שְׁמֶךָ; עַל-כֵּן, עֲלָמוֹת אֲהֵבוּךָ

4. Draw me, we will run after thee; the king hath brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will find thy love more fragrant than wine! Sincerely do they love thee.

מָשְׁכֵנִי, אַחֲרֶיךָ נָּרוּצָה; הֱבִיאַנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ חֲדָרָיו, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בָּךְ-נַזְכִּירָה דֹדֶיךָ מִיַּיִן, מֵישָׁרִים אֲהֵבוּךָ

5. 'I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

שְׁחוֹרָה אֲנִי וְנָאוָה, בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם; כְּאָהֳלֵי קֵדָר, כִּירִיעוֹת שְׁלֹמֹה

6. Look not upon me, that I am swarthy, that the sun hath tanned me; my mother's sons were incensed against me, they made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.'

אַל-תִּרְאוּנִי שֶׁאֲנִי שְׁחַרְחֹרֶת, שֶׁשְּׁזָפַתְנִי הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; בְּנֵי אִמִּי נִחֲרוּ-בִי, שָׂמֻנִי נֹטֵרָה אֶת-הַכְּרָמִים--כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי, לֹא נָטָרְתִּי

7. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon; for why should I be as one that veileth herself beside the flocks of thy companions?

הַגִּידָה לִּי, שֶׁאָהֲבָה נַפְשִׁי, אֵיכָה תִרְעֶה, אֵיכָה תַּרְבִּיץ בַּצָּהֳרָיִם; שַׁלָּמָה אֶהְיֶה כְּעֹטְיָה, עַל עֶדְרֵי חֲבֵרֶיךָ

8. “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy kids, beside the shepherds' tents.

אִם-לֹא תֵדְעִי לָךְ, הַיָּפָה בַּנָּשִׁים; צְאִי-לָךְ בְּעִקְבֵי הַצֹּאן, וּרְעִי אֶת-גְּדִיֹּתַיִךְ, עַל, מִשְׁכְּנוֹת הָרֹעִים

9. I have compared thee, O my love, to a steed in Pharaoh's chariots.

לְסֻסָתִי בְּרִכְבֵי פַרְעֹה, דִּמִּיתִיךְ רַעְיָתִי

10. Thy cheeks are comely with circlets, thy neck with beads.

נָאווּ לְחָיַיִךְ בַּתֹּרִים, צַוָּארֵךְ בַּחֲרוּזִים

11. We will make thee circlets of gold with studs of silver.

תּוֹרֵי זָהָב נַעֲשֶׂה-לָּךְ, עִם נְקֻדּוֹת הַכָּסֶף

12. While the king sat at his table, my spikenard sent forth its fragrance.

עַד-שֶׁהַמֶּלֶךְ, בִּמְסִבּוֹ, נִרְדִּי, נָתַן רֵיחוֹ

13. My beloved is unto me as a bag of myrrh, that lieth betwixt my breasts.

צְרוֹר הַמֹּר דּוֹדִי לִי, בֵּין שָׁדַי יָלִין

14. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna in the vineyards of En-gedi.

אֶשְׁכֹּל הַכֹּפֶר דּוֹדִי לִי, בְּכַרְמֵי עֵין גֶּדִי

15. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thine eyes are as doves.

הִנָּךְ יָפָה רַעְיָתִי, הִנָּךְ יָפָה עֵינַיִךְ יוֹנִים

16. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant; also our couch is leafy.

הִנְּךָ יָפֶה דוֹדִי אַף נָעִים, אַף-עַרְשֵׂנוּ רַעֲנָנָה

17. The beams of our houses are cedars, and our panels are cypresses”.

קֹרוֹת בָּתֵּינוּ אֲרָזִים, רחיטנו (רַהִיטֵנוּ) בְּרוֹתִים

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Thus, what is this love story really all about?

The Tanakh seems to bring the stage for what seems a passionate love story between a woman and her beloved. However, it is interpreted in our Hebraic tradition as an allegory for the love relationship between אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) and the nation of Yisrael - Israel. It features dialogues which expresses ‘desire’, ‘admiration’, and ‘longing’, it also uses metaphors of ‘wine’, ‘scents’, and ‘nature’ to symbolize Divine intimacy. 

Key Aspects of Chapter 1:

The Opening Desire: The woman (symbolizing Israel) expresses an intense desire for intimacy with the King (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim), saying “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth”.

Symbolism of “Oil” and “Wine”: The beloved’s name is likened to “oil poured out” (a blessed reputation for Divinity). His love is described as better than wine.

The Female Lover’s Voice: She describes herself as “black but beautiful”, often interpreted as humbled or darkened by exile or labour, yet loved by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. She speaks of working in vineyards and looking for her beloved.

Mutual Praise: The lovers exchange praise, highlighting their deep affection and desire to be together!

The “King”: While some interpret the “king” as being Solomon, However, the truth is that should view it as being “the King to whom peace belongs”, a reference to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. 

In the Hebrew tradition, this entire book is not just romantic poetry, but a “Holy of Holies” text outlining the spiritual marriage between אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) and Israel. Of course it is frequently read on Pesach - Passover to celebrate the springtime of the nation’s history.

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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