A Jewish Philosophy of Longing: Connecting the Story of Song of Songs with Its Message

From a traditional standpoint, Song of Songs is one of the most mysterious biblical works. Many hermeneutical approaches have been suggested to draw out the theological message of the work. This study contrasts the interpretations of Moses Maimonides and Joseph B. Soloveitchik and illustrates how their differing approaches reflect fundamental theological differences. I explore the intersection of hermeneutics and theology in the Song, showing how Soloveitchik accepts Maimonides’s philosophical approach to interpreting the Song, but creatively adapts it by altering the Song’s storyline. The differing storylines Maimonides and Soloveitchik each advocate reflect differing theological viewpoints. This study fills in a central element of Soloveitchik’s theology, and illustrates methodologically how the storyline of the Song can influence its message.