[Avodah] Mi Ban Siach

[Arie Folger]

RMB correctly identified the source of Mi Bon Siach in Shir haShirim
Rabbah on keshoshana bein hachochim. However, most posts see, IMHO, to
keep on repeating a mistake that shows up in some popular
translation(s): that it is a prayer.

AFAIU, and that is obvious from the midrashic source in question, this
is NOT A PRAYER, it is an invitation for the messader
kiddushin/chazzan who will recite 7 berakhot to step forward.

The words translates into [let the rabbi] who (minor case w) knows the
language of the lily among the thorns (i.e., the language of the Jews,
i.e. Torah) and understands the sublimity of Jewish love and marriage
(this explains why this language is not censured, the TC knows that
this is not about plain erotic love, but about a spiritual, sublime,
elevated expression thereof, in the service of the grand Divine plan)
step forward and bless the couple.

Good Shabbos,
-- 
Arie Folger,
Recent blog posts on http://ariefolger.wordpress.com/
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