4:8: Love covers a multitude
of sins.
Proverbs
10:12: “Love covers תְּכַסָּה אַהֲבָה all misdeeds”; the targum replaces the Hebrew for “love covers”
with מְכַסָּא
רַהֲמוּתָא. —
Proverbs 10:12 is rarely cited in rabbinic literature. Midrash Psalm 1 § 18
(9A): R. Hiyya (ca. 280) said, “As the waters cover the nakedness of the sea,
as it says, ‘Like the waters that cover the sea’ (Isa 11:9), so the words of
the Torah cover the nakedness of Israel, for it says, ‘Love covers all
misdeeds’ (Prov 10:12)” (here, following Buber on the passage, “love” = “Torah”
on the basis of Prov 5:19). ‖ Leviticus Rabbah 7 (109D): “Hate arouses
disputes” (Prov 10:12). The hate that the Israelites brought forth between themselves
and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf) aroused many judgments for
them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds” (Prov 10:12), for God loved the
Israelites; as it says, “I have loved you, says Yahweh” (Mal 1:2). A different
explanation. “Hate arouses disputes.” The hate that Aaron called forth between
the Israelites and their Father in heaven (by the golden calf) aroused many
judgments for them.… Yet “love covers all misdeeds,” that is, the prayer that
Moses prayed for him (Aaron).… ‖ Rashi explains Prov 10:12B as follows: “If
people adapt their works well, God covers their misdeeds.” (Hermann
L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck, A Commentary on the New Testament from the
Talmud & Midrash ed. Jacob N. Cerone, 3 vols. [trans. Joseph Longarino;
Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2021], 3:892–893)
