I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at its first season; But they came to Baal Peor, and consecrated themselves to the shameful thing, And became abominable like that which they loved.
And more widely, says a father , “what a man’s love is, that he is. Lovest thou earth? thou art earth. Lovest thou God? What shall I say? thou shalt be god.” : “Naught else maketh good or evil actions, save good or evil affections.” Love has a transforming power over the soul, which the intellect has not. “He who serveth an abomination is himself an abomination” , is a thoughtful Jewish saying. “The intellect brings home to the soul the knowledge on which it worketh, impresses it on itself, incorporates it with itself. Love is an impulse whereby he who loves is borne forth toward that which he loves, is united with it, and is transformed into it.” Thus in explaining the words, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His Mouth,” Song of Solomon 1:2, the fathers say , “Then the Word of God kisseth us, when He enlighteneth our heart with the Spirit of divine knowledge, and the soul cleaveth to Him and His Spirit is transfused into him.”