Congregation Shaarei Shamayim Shabbat Gathering

Shabbat Gathering: The connection between Pesach and Song of Songs.

Brian D. Johnson -

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

Tomorrow is a special Shabbat. It is the Shabbat during Pesach and we mark that by reading S0ng of Songs, a book included in the writings of the Tanakh, along with Ruth, Esther, Psalms, and Proverbs. Song of Songs is a particularly apt pairing with Pesach.

We all know the story of Pesach, especially since we were just reminded of it at the seders. Exodus is about Hashem’s love for us. Hashem took us out of Egypt. Hashem heard our prayers and freed us from bondage. It’s a love story between Hashem and what will become the nation of Israel.

A personal love story.

Song of Songs is also a love story, but about a one-on-one relationship. On the face of the story it is about a romantic / erotic relationship between a young couple. Over the centuries, the rabbis decided the book is about a relationship between a person and Hashem. I’ve written about Song of Songs before, after Jess and I took a course on the book with R. Rena, so I won’t go into that detail again. Let’s just say that both readings, erotic and divine love, are valid.

So it’s a match. Pesach and Song of Songs. Thank you to the author of the Torah Study newsletter for posting a link to an excellent article from My Jewish Learning that goes into detail about Pesach and Song of Songs. It’s a good read.

I recently finished studying R. Held’s book, Judaism is About Love. I wouldn’t say that the book changed my ideas or ideals, but it did give me a lot of new evidence and support for my belief that love might be the most important element in my theology. Therefore, Pesach and Song of Songs is an especially auspicious date on my calendar.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.

PS

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