Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Pure Love

Dovid Hamelech said in his lamentation over the death of Yehonason - "You loved me more than the love of women."

What did he mean by this?

Targum Yonason ben Uziel translates רחימת לי מרחימת תרתין נשין - You loved me more than two women.

???

The great mekubal the Rema Mi-Pano explained: Yehonason was supposed to be king as the son of Shaul but instead Dovid received the position. Yehonoson still loved Dovid despite his personal loss. It wasn't about his ego and his kavod.

The two women the Targum refers to are Rochel and Leah. Rochel gave up willingly on a husband like Yaakov Avinu for her sister Leah even though it was a great personal loss for her. It wasn't about Rochel's personal interest but an act of pure love.