SHABBAT READING
Song of Songs: A Secret for Maimonides, An Open Book for Gersonides: Prof. Menachem Kellner, The Torah.com, Apr. 17, 2025— If ever a biblical text “cried out” to be interpreted allegorically, it is Song of Songs. Indeed, the Talmud states that treating the Song like a regular song is an insult to God and Torah:
בבלי סנהדרין קא. [פירנצא 8–9] הקורא פסוק בשיר השירים ועושה בו כמין זמר והקורא במשתאות בלא זמנו מביא [רעה][1] לעול[ם] מפני שהתורה חוגרת שק ועומדת לפני הקב”ה. אמ[ר]ה לפניו: “רבונו של עולם, עשאוני בניך ככינור המנגנים בו גוים.”[2]
b. Sanhedrin 101a [Florence 8–9] One who reads a verse from the Song of Songs and makes it into a tune, or one who reads [it] at parties, when it is not its appointed time, brings evil into the world, since the Torah girds itself in sack cloth and stands before the Blessed Holy One. It says before him: “Master of the Universe, your children have turned me into a harp that gentiles play.”
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America’s Greatest Middle East Test Lies in Syria: Michael Doran, WSJ, Apr. 11, 2025
What’s Behind the Unprecedented Tension Between Israel and Turkey?: Dr. Michael Milshtein, Ynet News, Apr. 13, 2025
Syria’s Uncertain New Order: Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, Apr. 11, 2025
Syria Seeks to Sever Last Iran-Linked Networks for Smuggling Arms and Cash: Loveday Morris and Souad Mekhennet, Washington Post, Apr. 12, 2025
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FOR FURTHER REFERENCE
Phased US Pullout from Syria Raises Concerns for Israel – Analysis: Seth J. Frantzman. Jerusalem Post, Apr. 16, 2025 — Reports this week indicated that the US may be withdrawing its forces from Syria in a phased plan that could take months.
New Documents Appear to Reveal Syria’s President Shara’a Was Held by US in Iraq: Seth J. Frantzman, Jerusalem Post, Apr. 17, 2025 — Documents circulating on social media over the last day appear to provide new details about the background of Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Report: US ‘Vetoed’ Financial Aid to Lebanon: Shachar Kleiman, Israel Hayom, Apr. 10, 2025 — The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with the Hezbollah terrorist organization, reported Thursday morning that the US have told Gulf states, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, that they are not to provide any financial aid to Lebanon at this stage.
How Israel Destroyed Assad’s Syrian Navy: Eyal Levi, Israel Hayom, Apr. 17, 2025 — In Israeli Navy textbooks, the “Battle of Latakia” during the early hours of the Yom Kippur War is a staple of military heritage. Israeli missile boats sailed to the northern Syrian port and sank five Syrian warships, returning unscathed. It was the first historical engagement in which both sides used surface-to-surface missiles.