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The use of Song of Songs in Mystical Teḥinot from Italy

Tue, December 18, 2:30 to 4:00pm, Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Federal 2 Complex

Abstract

The connection between Song of Songs and mystical literature begins early in classical Jewish sources with Rabbi Akiva’s statement that “Song of Songs is the holiest of the holy.” This singular connection between one of the two biblical books which do not mention God’s name at all and kabbalistic literature whose greatest goal is to unite ecstatically with God or to cause the reunion of the Shekhinah with the Godhead theurgically is based on the lover of the Song seeking the beloved. In this paper I will examine the manner in which verses from Song of Songs are used in teḥinot for women in premodern Italy. Most of the manuscripts of these Hebrew teḥinot have yet to be published. A subsection of the teḥinot manuscripts which display more intense and obvious mystical features are the focus of this study. Although most scholars maintain that there were no female Jewish mystics, these manuscripts demonstrate that women were engaged in mystical practices, particularly connected to the purification process after menstruation. The purification process is a natural opportunity for the woman and her spouse to encourage the reunion of the Shekhinah with the Godhead. The ritual process includes accepting responsibility for Eve’s transgression in the Garden of Eden, confession of sins, the correct kavanah, asceticism, joy and participation of the couple in the ongoing process of creation. I will analyze the sections of Song of Songs which are quoted in the teḥinot and compare their usage to their use in rabbinic literature such as Song of Songs Rabbah and Zuta and the Zohar which also frequently quotes this book. These teḥinot quote different sections though nearly all of them focus on Song 5:9/10-16. It has recently been argued that this section indicates the heart of the Shi’ur Qomah tradition. This seems to be the case for the citations in the teḥinot. The situation in these Hebrew teḥinot differs significantly from the approach to purification rituals in Yiddish tekhines. This study will help demonstrate women’s contribution to Jewish mysticism.

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