If you show your appearance
About This Entry
The Arabic heading of this Hebrew poem says that the author composed it on his wedding day. Although the poem is directed to the poet’s bride, it also draws on the traditional allegorical interpretation of the biblical Song of Songs as a story of the love of God for Israel. Nearly every stanza ends with a quotation from the Song of Songs, and certain passages make sense only on an allegorical level. It was likely meant for insertion in the blessing Ahavat ‘olam (Eternal Love), before the Shema‘.
He wrote this regarding himself, on his own wedding day.
If you show your appearance, they who love you will be at ease.
O fawn, sit at my side, lie in the bed that I have spread.
And I alone will collect the honey from your palate, indeed, as you watch.
Turn away your eyes from me (Song of Songs 6:5). They who love you are at ease.
Desirous words are becoming for you, for your beauty oppresses every heart.
You are a delight to him, in fragrance and kisses, and your eyelids are a weapon.
Your lips are like a thread of scarlet (Song of Songs 4:3). They who love you are at ease.
Songs are fitting for your beauty, speaking about you is so precious,
for beauty and splendor are bound up in you, O sister of the sun!
Your cheeks are comely with circlets (Song of Songs 1:10). They who love you are at ease.
Ask all men who would reply: Is any among you as bruised and afflicted
as I am, when I turn to look upon your heart?
Your two breasts are like two fawns (Song of Songs 7:4). They who love you are at ease.
Lovely gazelles all admit to you that you are the treasure of all creatures.
How have you descended so astonishingly into exile? God made, like jewelry,
the roundings of your thighs (Song of Songs 7:2). They who love you are at ease.
All men of understanding tremble around you, for even mention of you is myrrh and aloes.
How beautiful you are, O fawn, in the tents, to the eyes, when
your steps in sandals are so beautiful (Song of Songs 7:2). They who love you are at ease.
Your beloved, who brought you [love-]sickness, will come to bring you the cure,
to announce to all along the road: Just as a youth beds a maiden,
your children will bed you (Isaiah 62:5).1 They who love you are at ease.
Translated by Gabriel Wasserman.
Notes
[This line actually means that the land of Israel, which has been desolate, will again be populated by her children, the Jewish people; this reunion will be as joyous as the union at a wedding.—Trans.]
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
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