Samantha Goldman

My beloved is like a Gazelle… Gazing Through the Window, Peering Through the Lattice (Song of Songs 2:9)

This work is part of a series in which I use digital drawing and cutting processes to emulate the tradition of Jewish Papercutting, a disappearing art form dating back hundreds of years. The content is drawn from Song of Songs, a biblical love poem estimated to be composed from around the 10th-2nd century BCE. Having recognized many of the motifs in Jewish symbolism and Folk art from my Jewish upbringing having its roots in this poem, my work acts to reinvigorate the historical, motifs and embedding them with modern re-interpretations. The act of my reinterpretation of these symbols is in keeping with the structure of Jewish Scholarly discourse: a non-binary way of thinking that has historically valued multiple perspectives, inviting and documenting an ongoing conversation which acts to determine the practices, meanings and values within the religion. This series will be installed in an ongoing exhibit at the Baycrest home for Geriatric Care until December 2022.

“The Modern commentary by Kravitz and Olitsky on Song of Songs reflects on the philosopher Gersonides’ interpretation of this verse; “For Gersonides, the lattice is a philosophical metaphor. The lattice allows the two lovers to see each other yet it prevents them from making contact. Thus, for proper apprehension one must proceed through the veil of matter to make contact with the Active Intellect” (Kravitz 23). Gersonides interpreted the lattice as a permeable barrier through which we can achieve spiritual connection. Another Jewish interpretation of this verse worth mentioning is from the Jewish biblical translation and commentary, Targum 8:14, written around the beginning of the common era: “May you be like a gazelle that sleeps with one eye shut and the other eye open. May you be like a fawn that runs while looking behind itself.” (Targum 8:14). Based on the orientation of the fawn running and looking behind itself in Targum 8:14, the stag has also been interpreted as a symbol of reflection. According to Rabbi Michel Abehsera, like the gazelle, we are encouraged to reflect on our week, relax and practice gratitude as we prepare for the Sabbath rest days every Friday evening.”