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וקנה לך חבר כיצד מלמד שיקנה אדם חבר לעצמו שיאכל עמו וישתה עמו ויקרא עמו וישנה עמו ויישן עמו ויגלה לו כל סתריו.
“Acquire yourself a friend.” How? This teaches us that man should acquire a friend with whom to eat and drink, read and study, sleep and share secrets of Torah and personal secrets. [Translation by Rabbi Steven Greenberg]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Study-partner (havruta) friendship was understood to be intimate. Have you experienced this sort of relationship? If you haven't did you miss it? Does is appeal to you? Would you want it still now?
2. Is this sort of friendship compatible with sexual expression?
3. In societies that celebrate same-sex friendship of this kind, the possibility of sexual desire can be a threat. Have you experienced a confusing relationship where desire was disruptive?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)