Jun 2 (Daily reading: Song of Solomon) In chapters 1-2 of the Song of Solomon, the man and the woman in love complimented each other. For example, from him: “How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are!” And from her: “How handsome you are, my beloved, and so delightful!” (1:15-16). Compliments are important in the marriage relationship! As I care for Judy, she is a captive audience. I tell her incessantly of my love for her, and how beautiful she is. I make up words to familiar tunes and sing about my love and her beauty. If she were her normal self, she might tell me to chill! I look at the effects of her illness and I see only her loveliness.
Chapters 3-5 express the man and the woman’s longing for one another, and ONLY for one another. The woman is almost frantic in her search for him, and when she found him, she “held on to him and would not let him go” (3:4). He is happy to be found by her, and very expressive in his feelings for her: “You have enchanted my heart, my sister, my bride; you have enchanted my heart with a single glance of your eyes” (4:9). He was not at all like the old fellow who explained why he never told his wife he loved her: “I told her when I married her more than fifty years ago, and nothing has changed!” It’s true that love is action, but it should also be expressed verbally.
Chapters 7-8 are sensual in nature, so much so, that some rabbis believed that the Song of Solomon should only be read by those thirty years and older! These chapters describe what should exist in the sexual context of marriage. There is delight in one another. When the sexual relationship comes from a deep love for one another, the commitment to the marriage will be deepened and enhanced.
– Al Gary
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