Jonathan's Love and Saul's Jealousy in Song of Songs

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 19:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation: "For love is as strong as death" (Song of Songs 8:6) — this is the love of Jonathan and David, as it is said, "And the soul of Jonathan was bound up with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (I Samuel 18:1). "Jealousy is as harsh as Sheol" (Song of Songs 8:6) — for Saul was jealous of David. And what is love doing beside jealousy?

Themes

JealousyMusicLoveEnvySolomon

Biblical References

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Midrash Tanchuma Buber, VayeshevJacob's Love for Joseph and the Brothers' JealousyThe verse sings, "For love is as strong as death, jealousy as harsh as Sheol." Hold those two words together, the sages teach, and you are standing in the houseMidrash Tanchuma Buber, VayeshevJacob's Love for Rachel and Rachel's Jealousy of Her SisterWhy open the going-down of Joseph into Egypt with a verse about love and death? Listen, and the sages will show you the seam where one feeling presses against aMidrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki TisaWhy a Heap of Wheat and Not Pine Cones in Song of SongsThe verse sings, "Your belly is a heap of wheat" (Song of Songs 7:3). Rav Idi turned the praise over in his mind and asked a sharp question: a mound of glitteriMidrash Tanchuma Buber, PekudeiThe Crown of Solomon and Israel Called God's MotherTurn the verse over and over: "the crown with which his mother crowned him" (Song of Songs 3:11). Rabbi Isaac combed every line of Scripture and could not find Ben SiraJealousy and Desire in Ancient Jewish WisdomBen Sira turns to Jealousy and Desire in Ancient Jewish Wisdom. "Do not be jealous of the wife of your soul, lest she trample upon your sanctuary." Now, this isBen SiraBen Sira on Envy and Wasting Your Own PortionIt has some pretty strong words for those of us prone to envy. "In the eye of a fool," Ben Sira tells us, "his portion is small; but he that taketh his neighbou