22: To learn Torah

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Torah Study
To learn Torah (Deut. 6:7)

            the LOVER and the STUDENT
            the LOVER is naked and lying on their stomach
            the STUDENT reads from a Torah scroll
            the STUDENT uses needle and thread to stich text onto the LOVER’s back
            they are copying the text from the Torah onto the LOVER’s back
            despite the implied violence the act is done with tenderness

LOVER
what are you up to?

STUDENT
Deuteronomy 6:7

LOVER
read it to me

STUDENT
וְדִבַּרְתָּ֖ בָּ֑ם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֤ בְּבֵיתֶ֙ךָ֙ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ֣ בַדֶּ֔רֶךְ וּֽבְשָׁכְבְּךָ֖ וּבְקוּמֶֽךָ׃

LOVER
“recite them when are home and when you are away
when you lie down and when you rise up”

STUDENT
            focused on the stitching
i don’t like that translation

LOVER
you never like my translations

STUDENT
that’s not true
remember last night?

LOVER
no

            LOVER sits up

STUDENT
you messed up my lamed

LOVER
i worry i’m just a canvas to you
            beat
            the STUDENT kisses the LOVER passionately
            but doesn’t dispute it
            STUDENT lays the LOVER back down
            resumes stitching
i’m more than letters and words

STUDENT
it’s glorious
i wish i was only words

LOVER
and i wish i was only fleshyou’ll never learn anything from writing it down

STUDENT
i’ll never learn anything until i’ve written down

LOVER
touch me

STUDENT
i am

LOVER
not with steel and silk
hand to hand
limb to limb

STUDENT
you’re not just a canvas

LOVER
prove it
            LOVER stands up defiantly
pull out a stitch
take a verse away
one you’ve lovingly stitched
prove i’m not a blank space for edicts and chronicles

STUDENT
no

LOVER
one word

STUDENT
no

LOVER
one letter just one letter
            they hold out their arm
this alef right here
remove it

STUDENT
why would i undo my work?

LOVER
to see what happens

            LOVER begins to pull out the stitching
            STUDENT watches in shock but doesn’t stop it

STUDENT
            quietly, slowly
no no no no no no no no no no no no no no

            LOVER finishes pulling out the thread

LOVER
kiss it
            STUDENT crawls to the LOVER
            they kiss the empty spot where the thread was removed
what have you learned now?

STUDENT
            ecstatic
nothing nothing nothing

            the STUDENT continues to kiss the empty spot

            END OF PLAY