Her value: 'She is a loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.' The metaphor of the doe suggests beauty, grace, and gentleness. 'May her breasts satisfy you always' addresses sexual satisfaction and intimacy within marriage. 'May you ever be intoxicated with her love' (v'heskah tamid be'ahavta) suggests that passionate love within marriage is the appropriate object of desire and attention. The language is passionate and affirming: sexuality within marriage is not begrudged but celebrated. The contrast is with the false satisfaction offered by the adulteress; true satisfaction is found in covenant faithfulness.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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