Description
Book SynopsisSong of Songs is a wondrous collection of love lyrics nestled in the heart of the Hebrew Biblesongs of passion and praise between a young maiden and her beloved. It is religious lyric par excellence. But what is its true meaning? Is it an expression of human love and passion, pure and simple? A celebration of the covenant between God and Israel? Or something else?The latest volume in the Jewish Publication Society's highly acclaimed Bible Commentary series, Song of Songs provides a line-by-line commentary of the original Hebrew Bible text, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, alongside the JPS English translation. Unique to this volume are four layers of commentary: the traditional PaRDeS of peshat (literal meaning), derash (midrashic and religious-traditional sense), remez (allegorical level), and sod (mystical and spiritual intimations). Michael Fishbane skillfully draws from them all to reveal the extraordinary range of interpretations and ideas perceived in this belov
Trade Review"This series is an indispensable resource, and Fishbane's new work is among the most rewarding entries."—Howard Freedman, jweekly.com
"This multilayered commentary makes for an absorbing, enriching and satisfying immersion in this endlessly fascinating Song."—Pinchas Roth, Jewish Book Council
"This most interactive book invites the reader to engage with its multiple levels of understanding and interpretation. It provides abundant material for both sermons and for study sessions."—David J. Zucker,
CCAR Journal“Michael Fishbane, one of the most penetrating Bible scholars of our time, has surpassed himself in this magnificent study of The Song of Songs, combining scholarly erudition, poetic sensibility, theological depth, and an unmatched mastery of the history of interpretation of this most difficult yet lyrical testimony of love. A masterpiece of scholarship!”—Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, emeritus chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth.
“Fishbane’s commentary on ‘the great songbook of the Jewish soul’ is a tour de force. There is nothing like it for opening up the inner depths of the biblical dialogue of love.”—Bernard McGinn, Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor emeritus, Divinity School, University of Chicago
Table of ContentsPreface
Abbreviations and Other Conventions
Introduction to the Commentary: Song of Songs
Songs of Love
The Language of Love
Other Love Language and Lyrics in Antiquity
Getting Love Language Right
The Many Poetics of Love in Jewish Tradition
The Song of Songs and Jewish Religious Practice
Reading the Commentary
Notes to the Introduction
Full Hebrew-English Text of the Song of Songs
The Commentary to the Song of Songs
Four Levels of Commentary: Peshat, Derash, Remez, and Sod
Chapter 1:1-17 First Words, First Encounters
Chapter 2:1-17 Love in Its Proper Time
Chapter 3:1-11 Inner Experience and Shared Joy
Chapters 4:1-5:1 The Beautiful Maiden, So Praised
Chapter 5:2-16 In Quest of the Marvelous Beloved
Chapter 6:4-10 The Maiden, Lovely and Luminous
Chapters 6:11-7:11 Love Overwhelming
Chapters 7:12-8:14 Longing, Love, and Loss
Notes to the Commentary
Excursus A History of Jewish Interpretation in the Song of Songs
Peshat: The Exegetical Revolution and Its Exemplars
Derash: The Forms and Formulations of Covenant Love
Remez: Personal Love of God—With All One’s Heart, Soul and Mind
Sod: The Most Hidden Truth—Divinity and Divine Love in the Depths
Notes to the Excursus
Bibliography
