The Jewish version of Valentine’s Day
The rejoicing of Tu B’Av marks the second half of the hot summer season. This is the formal beginning of the grape harvest, which was one of the most important crops in the biblical Land of Israel. It is not surprising that the Jewish calendar connects the summer grape harvest with love. Young laborers working in the heat of the sun must have found the smells and shade of the vineyard very romantic.
THE SONG OF SONGS
The connection between summer harvest and love is seen several times in the Song of Songs, including: "The fig tree has ripened its figs, And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along!" (Song 2:13)
הַתְּאֵנָה חָנְטָה פַגֶּיהָ, וְהַגְּפָנִים סְמָדַר נָתְנוּ רֵיחַ; קוּמִי לכי רַעְיָתִי יָפָתִי וּלְכִי-לָךְ
Two rare Hebrew words can easily be missed in translation: the first is פגיה pageha refers to green figs which have not yet ripened and the second word סמדר smadar refers to young unripe grapes.
This use of exotic vocabulary is meant to arouse our senses. How can we resist falling in love?
DEEPEN YOUR LOVE FOR THE BIBLE
LEARN BIBLICAL HEBREW
This example shows how reading in Hebrew, the Bible's original language can be a very fulfilling experience, taking you way beyond the translated meaning. Enroll now in eTeacher’s online Biblical Hebrew course to begin your journey to the Holy Scriptures.
