Pemikiran Yahudi Kidung Agung 1:7: Derush Chiddushei HaLevanah

It is written:⁴Bereishis 1:14. “God created⁵This is the wording cited by the Zohar Chadash even though the actual wording of the verse is different. The pagination of the Zohar Chadash also differs in certain printings. the two great luminaries.” Originally, both luminaries were coupled as one⁶The text cited by Tosfos Yom Tov differs slightly from the standard published version of the Zohar Chadash. and they were of equal importance.⁷We have translated the word שיקולא, which literally means, “weight,” as, “importance.” Hence, they were both called “great.” As explained previously, the intent is not that the moon was originally greater and superior to its present state. Instead, as long as the moon would stand together with the sun in one mystical bond, as a result of this, it was called “great” along with it, for even the tail of a lion is part of the lion and is called a lion. Nevertheless, the moon said before the Holy One, blessed be He: “Is it possible for one king to use two crowns at once? This one should be distinct and this one should be distinct.” He told it: “I see that you desire to be the head of foxes.⁸The Zohar Chadash is continuing the metaphor of the sun as a lion. In comparison to the sun, the stars, which are lesser luminaries, are merely foxes. Go and diminish yourself. Even though you will become their head, you will be less than what you are now.” This is what is meant by the moon’s statement,⁹Shir HaShirim 1:7. Shir HaShirim serves as an analogy for the ongoing love relationship between God and His bride, the Jewish people. The Jewish people are also identified with the moon. “Tell me, You whom my soul loves, where will You pasture Your flocks?” i.e., how is it possible to conduct the world wearing two crowns at once?