[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: "Love" in the DSS





On Sat, 6 Apr 1996 HuldrychZ@aol.com wrote:

> Professor Cook, 
> 
> In a message dated 96-04-06 12:17:13 EST, you write:
> 
> >in Targum Neofiti ( and other targums as well perhaps) the
> >biblical expressions concerning "love for God" are usually translated e.g.
> >"you shall love the Torah of God" etc. In Judaism love seems to be directed
> >to Torah, not to God.
> 
> Thank you for this note.  It is remarkable that the targumim would make this
> transition.  Why do you think direct love for God (as commanded in Torah) was
> transferred to love for Torah?  Was it because one cannot love God DIRECTLY,
> or some related idea?
> I am grateful for your help in this matter.
> 
> 
> Jim West
> 
Jim,

I still think you should check out the use of <.h>esed, including 
checking out its semantic range, because I think that you will find that 
it is the term that includes the meaning you're looking for.  One 
possible translation of <.h>esed is "covenant loyality," I believe, which 
might well explain the focus on Torah that you just queried Ed about.

David Suter
Saint Martin's College