The Bible's Book of Erotic Poetry

The Song of Solomon contains no mention of God, no law, no prophecy — only two lovers in explicit pursuit of each other. 'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.' She describes his body in elaborate detail: 'His left arm is under my head and his right arm embraces me.' He describes hers: 'Your two breasts are like two fawns.' She searches for him through the city streets at night, is struck by the watchmen. Ancient rabbis debated whether this book belonged in scripture at all. Rabbi Akiva defended it: 'All the writings are holy, but the Song of Songs is the holy of holies.'