Chapter 4:5-7
Your breasts are two fawns,
Twins of a gazelle,
Pasturing among the lilies.
Before the day blows on
And the shadows flee,
I will go myself to the mountain of Myrrh,
To the hill of frankincense.
You are all-beautiful, my friend,
There is no blemish in you.
I am called down from the arrogant heights of my isolation, my illusions of separateness. I am called out from the lion’s den, where I’ve been chewing on the same dry bone for eons… growling between naps.
In the Fever of LoveIn the Fever of Love ©2008 Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.
Practice
Chant: Perfect
Commentary
Being “in love” means to experience an extraordinary state of heightened sensitivity and expanded perception. From that state we can know the truth of an underlying perfection that holds, supports and suffuses this imperfect world. When I am “in love,” there is really no particular object of that love, yet everything that I touch or see or taste becomes the focus of that love. When I am “in love,” even the most difficult challenges are received as messages and goads to go deeper, see wider, and surrender more fully.
This practice is an opportunity to taste that state, and then remember the glimpse we have received, so that glimpse can be our compass as we traverse this path of love.
Bridge to Torah
The priests, which are commanded in Parshat Tzav, tend the fires of sacrifice and oversee the integrity of the various offerings. They are charged with maintaining the holiness of the Mishkan. Each of these offerings must be perfect. The ashes of the past must be cleared. The fragrances that rise from the fires of sacrifice must be pleasing: “a sweet savor unto God”. Shir HaShirim guides us to that sweet savor by taking us to the mountain of myrrh, to the hills of frankincense. There we discover and share the gift of our beauty and friendship. With the eyes of love, perfection is seen, acknowledged and offered up to God.
Click to see Leviticus 6:1–8:36 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985) or the associated Torah Journeys page.
Question for Contemplation
Can I glimpse the truth of an underlying perfection that holds, supports and suffuses this imperfect world?
Resources
View Love at the Center Resources.
See also SHS Commandment 3.
Click to see Song of Songs Chapter 4:5-7 in Hebrew with the English JPS (1985) translation.