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Showing posts from June, 2025
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  BOAZ AND HIS GYPSY WIFE, LEONARD COHEN AND RUTH DECONSTRUCTED   Opening of the Book of Ruth, from the Tripartite Machzor, c. 1322. This is a deconstruction analysis of Leonard Cohen’s song “where is my Gypsy wife tonight” and how the song may apply to the Megillah Ruth. By deconstruction I mean it is an attempt to expose the song’s hidden internal assumptions. Putting it another way: where was Leonard Cohen going with it? What is he saying about the story of Ruth?   First of all, I enjoy Leonard Cohen’s music. Until now I have never delved deeply into the lyrics or his messages. Even so, Leonard’s music touches me. Here is a link to “Where Is My Gypsy Wife Tonight”: https://youtu.be/b-Pxn28BHvU?si=TnCNGPSgvRzrf9Q6 It is a dark song that speaks about a husband’s humiliation, hopelessness and bitterness when his love has been betrayed Very recently, I was listening to the music, and the words   “threshing floor” caught my attention. They seem...