Take this poem as a consolation
About This Entry
Ibn Tsadik wrote this poem for Abraham Ibn Ezra, who found himself unable to consummate his marriage due to the onset of his wife’s menstrual period. Joseph playfully mocks Abraham’s desires, comparing him to those who are unable to quench their thirst. The references to blood throughout the poem refer to both menstrual and hymenal blood, both of which render a wife forbidden to her husband according to rabbinic law. Abraham composed a lighthearted rejoinder to Joseph’s poem (see “Though you are far away”).
Notes
[An inversion of 1 Kings 2:5, “he brought warring blood in a time of peace.” Here, the poet is saying: do not sleep with your menstruant bride; her blood is “at peace” apart from you, and if you violate the Torah’s commandment you would be turning this peace into war.—Trans.]
[Another biblical pun: Proverbs 30:33 states: “Squeezing milk results in butter (ḥem’ah), and squeezing the nose results in blood.” The poet is saying: Squeezing your bride’s breasts will lead to divine wrath (ḥemah, similar in sound to the word for butter). He is probably also thinking of the second half of the verse from Proverbs, regarding blood.—Trans.]
[The holy Abraham Ibn Ezra is being placed in a situation where he could commit a grievous sin.—Trans.]
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
