Welcome to the Song of Songs Project
LAUNCHED: 1st of Elul, 5783
We are living in a generation of unusual changes, constant division (amidst attempts at unity), and many levels of uncertainty. That’s the ‘obvious’ part that the news stories report to us. Some people understand this as “all part of G-d’s plan,” and while this is true, there are also corresponding changes occurring in the “upper worlds.”
Through deeper levels of study and meditation, we can learn about and access the ‘spiritual windows’ that G-d is beginning to open at this time. (Daniel 12:4, Joel 2:28, etc.). The ability to obtain new understanding of the depths of Torah, along with availability to an abundance of Torah materials and technology, is unique to this generation. All part of G-d’s plan.
Why Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs)?
Every book of Scripture, and every kosher text discussing its spiritual concepts, is important and relevant. There is one book of Tanakh that is considered the most ‘peculiar,’ and that is Shir Hashirim. There are no commandments in it. No history. No identifiable characters. So why is this in the Tanakh?
A reason for this, according to Chasidus, is that it is a text meant for this generation (Jew and gentile) to study and understand, as it contains the greatest knowledge. As we will discuss, the great sage, Rabbi Akiva, said that while all the books of Torah are holy, Shir Hashirim is the “Holy of Holies.”
This project is not a typical study where people read and perhaps ask questions. Rather, it is a collective, interactive effort, availing itself of all the minds, texts, and technology that we have at this auspicious time. There’s also more to this project than just study of the text.
What makes this project unique? Here are SIX things we are planning (for now!):
- Creating an original “communal commentary” on Shir Hashirim. This will be a combination of people researching topics & themes and adding notes, citations & links to the commentary. (Finding the “best stuff out there!”) It will also involve providing personal insights & ideas to the themes of the text. All you need is a computer and internet. We will offer ideas to get you started.
- Forming meditations specific to themes from the text and related materials. (See #5 below.)
- Extracting and developing spiritual concepts from the text/notes and connecting them to our own daily activities and areas of life, such as relationships, psychology, culture, current events, etc. This is an opportunity to write and co-write innovative, practical articles! (“Judaism takes high ideals and translates them into life by simple daily deeds. The goal is not to contemplate the truth, but to live the truth.” – Rabbi Pinchas Taylor)
- We will also make use of AI programs to generate new streams of thought and connectivity. (Why do you think AI arrived in this generation? Nothing is by chance.)
- There will be Zoom Rooms for the Meditations we create and holding meetings & conferences (dates/times TBD).
- Facebook Group Discussions. (Link is below).
GETTING STARTED UPDATE
Our four ‘intro articles’ are done. (Links are below.) At the top of each background article are ideas for how you can get involved with this project and sample keywords to use for research. These cover some fairly deep ‘background’ material, and many will be challenged. As we get into the text this fall/winter 2023, these concepts will become clearer.
Peruse, ponder and pen some thoughts down. Use “Rabbi Google” to find related ideas and citations we can add. Consider also, how any of the concepts relate to ‘real life’ … relationships, culture, psychology, etc., as we will get to those later.
As we get into the actual text of Shir Hashirim, this will get ‘easier,’ but it’s up to everyone to jump in and make it happen from the start. At the center of this project is working TOGETHER – which is another theme related to this generation according to Torah. So, find a partner or two in the Facebook group (below) or among your friends and go for it.
Anyone wishing to contribute ideas and/or research and add citations from proper sources is welcome to. You can do this by sending an email to info@Matrix4Humans.com or posting in our Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/Devekut.
(The name of this website extends beyond the Matrix movies, which it provides a look at through the lens of Chasidus/kabbalah. Feel free to check it out as it shows hundreds of Torah concepts and links.)
The Framework
We begin with these four background articles as the concepts underlie our text. If you have things to contribute toward the actual text/verses of Shir Hashirim, send those in as well, explaining as much as possible how they fit and to what verse(s) etc. We will build the commentary “behind the scenes” for now and start chapter 1 this fall.
These should be read in the order presented:
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Before the Beginning
A look at ‘relationship’ before and at the ‘beginning’ of Creation -
Holy of Holies
The idea of ‘connection’ and Shir Hashirim as an Interface between G-d and us -
The Shekinah
The feminine aspect of G-d and its associated concepts and manifestations -
Exile: Path and Purpose
Ein Od Milvado, Gam Zu Letova, the Divine game plan and our world today
Chapter Notes (coming fall/winter 2023)
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Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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Chapter 4
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Chapter 5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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Chapter 8
Resources (coming soon)
Ya’ala Meditations
Recommended Books
Related Articles
Related Videos
Glossary of Terms
Featured image by Esther Mandella (facebook.com/esther.hamalka.520)
Copyright 2023 Matrix4Humans
