Overview

Song of Songs is a wondrous collection of love lyrics nestled in the heart of the Hebrew Bible-songs 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 beloved biblical book. A comprehensive introduction, extensive endnotes, a full bibliography (traditional and modern), and additional explanatory materials are included to enhance the reader's appreciation of the work. This original, comprehensive commentary on the Song of Songs interprets historical, critical, and traditional sources drawn from the ancient Near East, the entire spectrum of Jewish sources and commentaries, and modern critical studies.

Full Product Details

Author:   Michael Fishbane
Publisher:   Jewish Publication Society
Imprint:   Jewish Publication Society
Dimensions:   Width: 20.30cm , Height: 3.50cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   1.148kg
ISBN:  

9780827607415

ISBN 10:   0827607415
Pages:   400
Publication Date:   01 March 2015
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

PrefaceAbbreviations 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

Reviews

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 --Bernard McGinn (10/14/2014)

This series is an indispensable resource, and Fishbane's new work is among the most rewarding entries. --Howard Freedman, jweekly.com --Howard Freedman jweekly.com (04/02/2015)

This series is an indispensable resource, and Fishbane's new work is among the most rewarding entries. -Howard Freedman, jweekly.com -- 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 -- 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 -- 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. -- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 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 -- Bernard McGinn

This series is an indispensable resource, and Fishbane's new work is among the most rewarding entries. -Howard Freedman, jweekly.com -- Howard Freedman jweekly.com 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. -- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 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 -- Bernard McGinn

Author Information

Michael Fishbane is the Nathan Cummings Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago. He is the author and editor of numerous books, including The JPS Bible Commentary: Haftarot (2002); the National Jewish Book Award–winning Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel; and The Kiss of God: Spiritual and Mystical Death in Judaism. Fishbane received a lifetime achievement award for scholarship from the National Foundation of Jewish Culture and is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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