Another interpretation of (Song of Songs 8:6) "For love is as strong as death": the love with which Jacob loved Joseph, as it is said (Genesis 37:3), "And Israel loved Joseph." "Jealousy is as harsh as Sheol" - the jealousy that his brothers were jealous of him. And what shall love do beside jealousy? Another interpretation of "For love is as strong as death": the love with which Jacob loved Joseph, as it is said (Genesis 37:3), "And Israel loved Joseph." "Jealousy is as harsh as Sheol" - the jealousy that his brothers were jealous of him. And what shall love do beside jealousy? And what caused Joseph to come into hatred? It was the love with which his father loved him too much.
Jacob's Love for Joseph and the Brothers' Jealousy
Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 19:3
ד"א כי עזה כמות אהבה, אהבה שאהב יעקב ליוסף, שנאמר וישראל אהב את יוסף (בראשית לז ג), קשה כשאול קנאה שקינו בו אחיו, ומה תעשה אהבה בצד קנאה. ד"א כי עזה כמות אהבה, אהבה שאהב יעקב ליוסף, שנאמר וישראל אהב את יוסף (בראשית לז ג), קשה כשאול קנאה שקינאו בו אחיו, ומה תעשה אהבה בצד קנאה, ומי גרם ליוסף לבוא לידי שנאה, שהאהבה שאהב אותו אביו יותר מדאי.