A Non-Literal Translation of Shir HaShirim
According to a centuries-old Jewish tradition, the entire text of Shir HaShirim is an allegory describing the relationship between the Almighty and the Jewish people.
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) reveals one facet of this allegory.
Chapter 1
1 THE MOST EXALTED OF ALL SONGS DEVOTED TO G-D, THE KING WHOSE NAME IS PERFECTION.
2 Exiled Israel said to its Creator: TELL ME AGAIN, AS IN FORMER TIMES, YOUR HIDDEN WISDOM IN THE INTIMACY WE ONCE SHARED, FOR THE LOVE YOU SHOWED ME AT THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT AND AT THE GIVING OF THE TORAH IS DEARER TO ME THAN ALL EARTHLY PLEASURES.
3 LIKE THE FRAGRANCE OF THE FINEST OIL, THE REPUTATION OF YOUR GREAT DEEDS SPREADS; YOUR VERY NAME IS FLOWING PERFUMED OIL, AND THEREFORE THE NATIONS LOVE YOU.
4 SEND ME EVEN A HINT OF YOUR LOVE, AND I WILL RUN TO YOU WITH ALL MY HEART. THEN MY KING WILL BRING ME TO the Holy Temple; I WILL REJOICE AND EXULT IN YOUR TORAH, REMEMBER THE MIRACLES OF THE EXODUS, AND THANK YOU FOR OUR SALVATION. MY LOVE FOR YOU IS NOT A SUDDEN PASSION; IT IS THE INHERITANCE OF MY RIGHTEOUS FATHERS.
5 And Israel said to the nations of the world: ALTHOUGH MY MASTER SENT ME AWAY, FOR I AM BLACKENED BY SIN, I HAVE MERITS. HE WILL ATONE FOR MY SINS, AND I WILL AGAIN FIND FAVOR IN HIS EYES, O NATIONS DESTINED TO ASCEND TO JERUSALEM. THOUGH I AM SOILED BY SIN LIKE THE TENTS OF Kedar, HE WILL FORGIVE ME, AND I WILL BECOME PURE, LIKE THE CURTAINS OF THE SANCTUARY OF THE PERFECT KING.
6 DO NOT LOOK DOWN ON MY DARKNESS. IT IS TEMPORARY! LIKE YOU, I SERVED THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS, AND THIS SERVICE DARKENED ME. THE EGYPTIANS ENTICED ME TO WORSHIP IDOLS, AND I FAILED TO GUARD MY OWN INHERITANCE, WHICH I RECEIVED FROM MY RIGHTEOUS FATHERS.
7 Israel appealed to the Almighty: TELL ME, YOU WHOM MY SOUL LOVES, WHERE WILL YOU PASTURE YOUR FLOCK, YOUR BELOVED PEOPLE? UNDER WHAT CRUEL SUN OF THE HARDEST EXILE WILL YOU LET THEM REST? REVEAL YOUR WAYS TO ME, SO THAT I MAY CLEAVE TO YOU; WHY SHOULD I WRAP MYSELF IN MOURNING AMONG THE KINGS AND RULERS OF NATIONS THAT DO NOT KNOW YOU?
8 G-d answered Israel: IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO PASTURE, O MOST BEAUTIFUL OF NATIONS, FOLLOW YOUR FOREFATHERS ALONG THE STRAIGHT PATH OF TORAH. THEN YOU WILL MERIT PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN EVEN AMID THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD.
9 YOU ARE DEARER TO ME THAN THE FINEST OF NATIONS, MY BELOVED.
10 YOU DESERVE BLESSING IN ABUNDANCE.
11 I CONFUSED PHARAOH'S MIND, AND HE RUSHED AFTER YOU, SO THAT THE WEALTH WITH WHICH I ENDOWED YOU AT THE SPLIT SEA MIGHT BE INCREASED—the golden necklaces gathered at the sea were far more valuable than the treasures taken from Egypt.
12 Israel said: WHILE THE KING WAS STILL AT SINAI, I VIOLATED THE COVENANT THROUGH THE SIN OF THE GOLDEN CALF.
13 BUT MY BELOVED FORGAVE ME: HE COMMANDED ME TO BUILD THE Mishkan, where His Shechinah would dwell among the people.
14 MORE THAN ONCE YOU FORGAVE ME IN THE WILDERNESS; THE MIRACLES YOU PERFORMED FOR ME ARE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
15 YOU COMFORTED ME, SAYING: I HAVE FORGIVEN YOU, FOR YOUR DEEDS AND THE DEEDS OF YOUR FATHERS ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOUR RIGHTEOUS ONES ARE FAITHFUL TO ME, LIKE A DOVE TO ITS MATE.
16 BUT THE BEAUTY YOU SEE IN ME IS YOURS. YOU FORGAVE THE SIN OF THE GOLDEN CALF AND GAVE ME A SANCTUARY WHERE I COULD CONTINUE TO ATTAIN ATONEMENT.
17 MY TEMPLE IS MAGNIFICENT: THE SAGES OF TORAH ARE ITS SUPPORT, AND THEIR STUDENTS ITS ORNAMENT.
Chapter 2
1 I DO NOT LEAVE THE PATH OF GOOD DEEDS: MY HANDS ARE BUSY PERFORMING MITZVOT, AND MY FEET STAND FIRMLY ON THE PATH OF TRUTH, FROM WHICH I WILL NOT TURN.
2 The Almighty said: JUST AS A ROSE REMAINS BEAUTIFUL AMONG THORNS, SO MY PEOPLE PRESERVE THEIR FAITH AMONG THEIR IDOLATROUS NEIGHBORS.
3 Israel echoed Him: AS AN APPLE TREE AMONG BARREN FOREST TREES, SO IS MY BELOVED G-D AMONG THE PAGAN GODS. ALL THE NATIONS FLED FROM YOUR PRESENCE WHEN THE TORAH WAS GIVEN AT SINAI; ONLY I REMAINED TO RECEIVE YOUR TORAH, AND THE SWEETEST FRUIT WAS FOUND IN MY CHAMBER.
4 HE BROUGHT ME INTO THE TREASURY OF TORAH, AND IN LOVE GATHERED THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL AROUND THE MISHKAN.
5 O SAGES AND ELDERS! SUPPORT ME IN EXILE WITH THE WISDOM OF TORAH; COMFORT MY DISPERSION WITH THE TREASURES OF the Aggadah—for my soul yearns with great love for the Shechinah.
6 EVEN WHEN HIS JUSTICE STRIKES ME, HE PROTECTS ME FROM FALLING. AND WHEN I REPENT, HE WILL AGAIN SHOW HIS LOVE, SURROUNDING ME WITH THE CLOUDS OF HIS GLORY.
7 I ADJURE YOU, O NATIONS DESTINED TO ASCEND TO JERUSALEM AT THE END OF DAYS, DO NOT VIOLATE THIS OATH, LEST YOU BECOME HELPLESS LIKE GAZELLES AND DOES BEFORE PREDATORS: DO NOT TRY TO HINDER OUR LOVE OR DRAW ME AFTER YOU WHILE I AM STILL DESIRED.
8 THIS IS THE VOICE OF MY BELOVED! AS BEFORE, HE WILL APPEAR TO SAVE ME AHEAD OF THE APPOINTED TIME.
9 LIKE A GAZELLE OR A YOUNG RAM, HE HASTENS TO SAVE ME. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN ABANDONED FOREVER, BUT EVEN IN HIDING HE SAW FROM HEAVEN MY OPPRESSION.
10 MY BELOVED RAISED HIS VOICE AND SAID TO ME: ARISE, MY BELOVED, MY BEAUTIFUL ONE, AND GO—I WILL BRING YOU OUT OF EGYPTIAN OPPRESSION,
11 FOR THE TIME OF SLAVERY HAS PASSED; BEHIND YOU IS THE DOWNPOUR OF SUFFERING.
12 THE RIGHTEOUS LED THEIR PEOPLE AND SANG A SONG AT THE SPLIT SEA. THE VOICE OF REDEMPTION IS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
13 THE TIME IS NEAR WHEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BRING FIRSTFRUITS TO JERUSALEM AND POUR WINE ON THE TEMPLE ALTAR. ARISE, MY BELOVED, MY BEAUTIFUL ONE, AND GO TOWARD THE TEN SINAITIC UTTERANCES.
14 LIKE A DOVE CAUGHT BETWEEN A HAWK AND A SNAKE, MY PEOPLE WERE PRESSED BY PHARAOH AGAINST THE SEA. TURN YOUR GAZE TO ME IN PRAYER; LET ME HEAR YOUR SWEET VOICE AND SEE YOU.
15 MY PEOPLE HAD NOT YET MATURED WHEN THE CROWD OF STRANGERS THAT LEFT EGYPT WITH THEM ENTICED THEM TO WORSHIP THE GOLDEN CALF.
16 Israel said: HE IS MY G-D, AND I AM HIS PEOPLE. HE CARES FOR ME LIKE A FATHER FOR HIS CHILDREN, LIKE A SHEPHERD FOR HIS FLOCK, WHILE I SEEK ONLY HIS CLOSENESS—the closeness of the One who chooses the best portion for me.
17 BUT I SINNED, CAST OFF YOUR YOKE, AND YOU ABANDONED ME. The Almighty answered Israel: MY BELOVED, RETURN TO ME! LEAP LIKE A GAZELLE OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF SIN THAT SEPARATE US.
Chapter 3
1 Israel said: IN THE NIGHT OF WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS, WHEN THE GIFT OF PROPHECY LEFT MOSES, I SOUGHT THE CLOSENESS OF MY BELOVED; I SOUGHT HIM, BUT COULD NOT FIND HIM—HE DID NOT HASTEN TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO ME.
HE DID NOT DESIRE ME OR BRING ME INTO THE PROMISED LAND.
3 I ASKED MOSES AND AARON: “HAVE YOU SEEN THE ONE WHOM MY SOUL LOVES? WHAT DID HE SAY TO YOU?”
4 AS SOON AS MOSES AND AARON LEFT THIS WORLD, IN THE DAYS OF JOSHUA, MY BELOVED RETURNED TO ME. I CLUNG TO HIM, FEARING THAT MY SINS MIGHT AGAIN SEPARATE US. I SET UP THE MISHKAN IN SHILOH, WHERE THE DIVINE PRESENCE WAS REVEALED, AND THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM, FROM WHICH THE LIGHT OF TORAH SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
5 I ADJURE YOU, O NATIONS DESTINED TO ASCEND TO JERUSALEM, DO NOT VIOLATE THIS OATH, LEST YOU BECOME LIKE TIMID GAZELLES AND DEFENSELESS DOES: DO NOT TRY THROUGH PERSECUTION AND INCITEMENT TO SHAKE HIS LOVE WHILE IT IS STILL DESIRED.
6 DID I NOT ASCEND FROM THE WILDERNESS, LED BY THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND THE PILLAR OF FIRE THAT STRUCK THE SNAKES AND SCORPIONS AND SMOOTHED THE WAY, SURROUNDED BY THE FRAGRANCE OF MYRRH, FRANKINCENSE, AND THE FINEST INCENSE?
7 BEHOLD THE MISHKAN, THE DWELLING PLACE OF THE ALMIGHTY, SURROUNDED BY SOME SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DISTINGUISHED JEWISH MEN:
8 Kohanim, skilled in the Temple service, and scholars of Torah—the guardians of tradition, transmitting it from generation to generation so that Torah would not be forgotten during the long night of exile.
9 THE RULER ESTABLISHED IN SHILOH THE DWELLING OF HIS PRESENCE, MADE OF CEDARS OF LEBANON.
10 HE MADE ITS BASES OF SILVER, THE ARK'S COVER OF GOLD, AND THE CURTAINS OF CRIMSON WOOL. WITHIN THE MISHKAN, EVERYTHING SPEAKS OF HIS LOVE FOR ISRAEL: THE ARK AND ITS COVER, THE CHERUBIM, AND THE TABLETS OF THE COVENANT.
11 COME OUT AND SEE, O SONS DISTINGUISHED BY THE MITZVOT OF CIRCUMCISION, TEFILLIN, AND TZITZIT, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE WHOM YOU CROWNED ON THE DAY THE TORAH WAS GIVEN, WHEN HE UNITED WITH ISRAEL, AND ON THE DAY OF THE JOY OF THE MISHKAN'S CONSECRATION.
Chapter 4
1 The Almighty said: YOUR DEEDS ARE BEAUTIFUL, O MY BELOVED PEOPLE; YOUR SAGES ARE WORTHY AND MODEST. EVEN THE SIMPLEST JEWS ARE AS DEAR TO ME AS JACOB AND HIS SONS, WHO DESCENDED FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF GILEAD.
2 YOUR MIGHTY MEN TEAR THE ENEMY APART, KEEP AWAY FROM ROBBERY, AND AVOID OTHER MEN'S WOMEN—THERE IS NO FLAW OR BARRENNESS IN THEM.
3 LIKE THE SCARLET THREAD THAT SERVED AS A SURE SIGN FOR RAHAB, THE SINCERITY OF YOUR LIPS SHOWS THAT YOUR WORD IS UNBREAKABLE. ALTHOUGH YOUR MERITS ARE AS NUMEROUS AS THE SEEDS OF A POMEGRANATE, YOU HIDE THEM FROM STRANGERS' EYES BEHIND A VEIL OF MODESTY.
4 AS THE TOWER OF DAVID IS STRONG, SO IS THE SANHEDRIN—the spiritual support of Israel. A THOUSAND SHIELDS OF TORAH SURROUND IT, AND ITS STUDENTS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF ITS STRENGTH.
5 THE KING AND THE HIGH PRIEST ARE YOUR TWO PROVIDERS, EQUAL IN GREATNESS LIKE THE TWIN FAWNS OF A DOE GRAZING AMONG ROSES.
6 YOUR TALENTS AND THE CHARM THAT IS YOURS ARE WHY I WILL HASTEN TO ESTABLISH MY SHECHINAH IN THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM, WHERE INCENSE IS BURNED, INCLUDING MYRRH AND FRANKINCENSE.
7 O COMMUNITY OF ISRAEL! YOU ARE PERFECT, AND THERE IS NO FLAW IN YOU.
8 WHEN YOU GO INTO EXILE, I WILL GO WITH YOU AND REMAIN IN EXILE UNTIL YOU RETURN. REFLECT ON THE REWARD AWAITING YOU FOR YOUR ORIGINAL FAITH: HOW YOU FOLLOWED ME THROUGH THE WILDERNESS, ASCENDING AND CAMPING AT MY WORD, AND HOW YOU CLIMBED THE PEAKS OF SENIR AND HERMON—the lions' dens of the mighty giants Sihon and Og.
9 I LOVED YOU FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FOREFATHER ABRAHAM, THE EYE OF THE WORLD WHO REVEALED TO HUMANITY G-D THE CREATOR, AND FOR THE SAKE OF MY SERVANT MOSES, WHO BROUGHT YOU INTO A COVENANT WITH ME, TO WALK IN MY WAYS AND OBSERVE MY COMMANDMENTS.
10 YOUR FAITH IS DEAR TO ME, AS IS THE SPREAD OF THE HOLINESS OF MY NAME.
11 THE SWEET WORDS OF TORAH FLOW FROM YOUR LIPS; IT LIES UNDER YOUR TONGUE LIKE HONEY AND MILK. EVEN YOUR CLOTHING SERVES YOU IN FULFILLING THE MITZVOT OF TZITZIT AND SHATNEZ.
12 YOUR WOMEN ARE MODEST AND AVOID IMMORALITY.
13 THEREFORE YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE FILLED WITH WISDOM, LIKE THE SEEDS OF A POMEGRANATE, AND THEIR SOULS WILL BE NOBLE LIKE FRAGRANT PLANTS:
14 SPIKENARD AND SAFFRON, CALAMUS AND CINNAMON, WITH EVERY KIND OF FRANKINCENSE TREE, MYRRH AND ALOE, WITH ALL THE SPICES.
15 RIGHTLY ARE YOU FILLED WITH TORAH AND ENDOWED WITH GOOD TRAITS, FOR YOU DESCEND FROM RIGHTEOUS ANCESTORS—FATHERS AND MOTHERS.
16 In the days of Mashiach, exiles from every corner of the earth will gather in the Land of Israel. On the festival days they will ascend to Jerusalem and say to G-d: “Come into Your garden, my beloved. If You are here, everything is here.”
Chapter 5
1 The Almighty said: YES, MY SHECHINAH WILL DESCEND TO DWELL AMONG YOU. I WILL FAVORABLY ACCEPT THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE; MY FIRE, DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN, WILL AGAIN CONSUME THE SACRIFICES PLEASING TO ME. I WILL BEND OVER THE WINE LIBATIONS, SWEET AS MILK; THE SONS OF AARON WILL AGAIN COME TO EAT THE SACRED MEAT.
2 Israel answered: I NEGLECTED THE SERVICE, YET MY G-D REMAINED VIGILANT AND PROTECTED ME. EVERY DAY THE PROPHETS WARNED ME IN YOUR WORDS: “OPEN YOUR HEART TO ME, MY SISTER, MY BELOVED, MY DOVE, MY PERFECT ONE; DO NOT FORCE ME TO LEAVE YOU. THE DEEDS OF YOUR FOREFATHER ABRAHAM WERE DEAR TO ME LIKE DEW THAT WATERED THE EARTH, BUT IF YOU REJECT ME, A SUCCESSION OF DESTRUCTIVE RAINS WILL POUR DOWN THROUGH THE DARK NIGHT OF EXILE.”
3 HERE IN BABYLON, I HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO SERVING FOREIGN GODS—HOW CAN I RETURN TO THE ALMIGHTY? LIFE IN A FOREIGN LAND HAS BECOME SWEET TO ME—WHY SET OUT FOR JERUSALEM ON SUCH A LONG JOURNEY?
4 BUT THE ALMIGHTY SENT HIS PROPHETS HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH, AND THEY PROPHESIED THE END OF THE CAPTIVITY. THEN ZERUBBABEL ROSE WITH DISTINGUISHED MEN TO BUILD THE SECOND TEMPLE.
5 WHEN THE ALMIGHTY'S JUDGMENT STRUCK ME, THE kohanim brought sacrifices and burned incense. But the King of the Universe did not accept them, closing the gates of repentance before my face.
6 THEN I ANSWERED MY BELOVED, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE: HE DID NOT REVOKE HIS DECREE, AND MY PRAYER REMAINED UNANSWERED. I SOUGHT HIS CLOSENESS BUT DID NOT FIND IT; I BEGGED HIM TO RESTORE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY TO ME, BUT IN VAIN.
7 MY ENEMIES FOUND ME, SURROUNDED THE HOLY CITY, AND DESTROYED MY TEMPLE. EVEN THE ANGELS WHO HAD ONCE GUARDED THE CITY WALLS POURED DOWN THE FIRE OF DESTRUCTION FROM HEAVEN.
8 I ADJURE YOU, O NATIONS DESTINED TO ASCEND TO JERUSALEM: WHEN THE ALMIGHTY SUMMONS YOU TO JUDGMENT, WILL YOU NOT TELL HIM WHAT SUFFERING I ENDURED FOR LOVE OF HIM?
9 The nations of the world asked Israel: HOW IS YOUR G-D DIFFERENT FROM OUR GODS, THAT FOR HIS SAKE YOU ARE READY TO ENDURE FIRE AND TORTURE, O MOST BEAUTIFUL OF NATIONS? WHAT MAKES HIM BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHERS, THAT YOU CLING TO HIM EVEN TO YOUR OWN HARM?
10 Israel answered them: THE ALMIGHTY HAS JUDGMENT AND MERCY. HE PURIFIES FROM SIN AND, SURROUNDED BY MYRIADS OF ANGELS, PUNISHES THE GUILTY.
11 CAN A MORTAL DESCRIBE HIM? HE IS BEYOND ALL PRAISE. THE SOURCE OF THE MIRACLES HE PERFORMS IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND HIDDEN FROM MAN.
12 HIS GAZE IS DIRECTED TOWARD SYNAGOGUES AND HOUSES OF STUDY THAT EMIT TORAH. REWARDING THE RIGHTEOUS AND PUNISHING SINNERS, HE ESTABLISHES TRUTH.
13 HIS SINAITIC UTTERANCES ARE LIKE A FRAGRANT GARDEN, TOWERS OF PERFUME. THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS, THE ALMIGHTY'S MESSENGERS, SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD LIKE THE FRAGRANCE OF ROSES.
14 THE TABLETS—the work of His hands—are dearer to us than the finest gold; they are studded with mitzvot like jewels. The words of Torah, which may seem simple, are filled with profound meaning, subtle distinctions, and countless details of law.
15 HIS RIGHTEOUS ONES ARE THE SUPPORT OF THE WORLD, AND THE UTTERANCES OF TORAH THEIR FIRM FOUNDATION. HE IS EXALTED ABOVE CREATION—WITH WHOM CAN HE BE COMPARED?
16 THE UTTERANCES OF HIS LIPS ARE SWEET, AND HE IS ENTIRELY DELIGHTFUL. SUCH IS MY BELOVED, SUCH IS MY FRIEND, O NATIONS DESTINED TO ASCEND TO JERUSALEM.
Chapter 6
1 The nations of the world asked: IF YOUR BELOVED IS AS YOU DESCRIBE HIM, O MOST BEAUTIFUL OF NATIONS, TELL US WHERE HE HAS GONE. WE WILL HELP YOU SEEK HIM AND WILL NO LONGER HINDER YOU FROM FOLLOWING HIM. 2 Israel answered: FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL HE HAS ESTABLISHED HIS SHECHINAH IN SYNAGOGUES AND HOUSES OF STUDY, TO LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS OF TORAH AND HEAR OUR PRAYERS. HE PRESERVES EVERY WORD, AND A GREAT REWARD AWAITS US. ONLY THROUGH TORAH AND PRAYER CAN WE RESTORE HIS CLOSENESS. 3 I WILL NEVER TRADE HIM FOR OTHER GODS, AND HE WILL NOT ABANDON ME FOREVER. HE HEARS THE SOUNDS OF TORAH AND PRAYER IN ORDER TO REPAY ME WITH GOOD. 4 The Almighty said: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, MY BELOVED, WHEN YOUR DEEDS BRING ME JOY; YOU ARE AS LOVELY AS YOU ONCE WERE IN JERUSALEM. HORDES OF ANGELS STAND BEFORE YOU IN AWE. 5 SAGES OF ISRAEL, EVEN IN EXILE DO NOT TURN YOUR EYES AWAY FROM TORAH, FOR THROUGH THIS YOU STRENGTHEN THE HEAVENLY HOST. AND ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO SACRIFICES IN A FOREIGN LAND, YOUR NAZIRITES ARE PLEASING TO ME EVEN WITHOUT THEM. 6 THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE ARE PERFECT, LIKE FLOCKS RISING FROM THE BATHING PLACE: THERE IS NO FLAW OR UNWORTHY DEED IN THEM. 7 EVEN THE SIMPLEST JEWS ARE FULL OF GOOD DEEDS, LIKE THE SEEDS OF A POMEGRANATE. 8 ABRAHAM HAS SIXTY ROYAL DESCENDANTS; BEFORE THEM STAND EIGHTY HEADS OF THE NOACHIDES, THE SONS OF CONCUBINES, AND FROM THEM COME NATIONS WITHOUT NUMBER. 9 YOU ARE UNIQUE, MY DOVE, MY PERFECT ONE! HOLY ARE YOUR ORIGINS: YOUR ANCESTORS, WHO PLANTED LOVE OF G-D IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR DESCENDANTS. THE INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN SAW HER AND PRAISED HER; THE KINGS AND NOBLES OF THE NATIONS EXTOLLED HER:10 “THE DEEDS OF THIS PEOPLE SHINE LIKE THE DAWN; ITS YOUTH IS BEAUTIFUL LIKE THE MOON; ITS VIRTUES GLEAM LIKE THE SUN; TERROR SEIZED ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH WHEN IT TRAVELED THROUGH THE WILDERNESS IN FOUR CAMPS.” 11 EVEN IN EXILE I HAVE NOT TURNED AWAY FROM HIM OR CHOSEN ANOTHER PEOPLE; I REMAIN IN SYNAGOGUES AND HOUSES OF STUDY TO HEAR THE SOUNDS OF TORAH AND RECEIVE THEIR PRAYERS. 12 Israel, hearing the Almighty praise its glorious past, answered sadly: ALAS, I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GUARD MYSELF FROM SIN SO AS TO PRESERVE MY GREATNESS AND GLORY! I DID NOT RESPOND TO MY BELOVED'S CALL TO RISE FROM BABYLON TO ERETZ YISRAEL, AND I REMAINED AN OBJECT OF DERISION IN A FOREIGN LAND.
Chapter 7
1 The Almighty said: O MY PEOPLE! RETURN, RETURN FROM EXILE TO YOUR LAND! AT MY WORD THE ANGELS WILL FULFILL ALL YOUR DESIRES: THE HOLY TEMPLE WILL BE RESTORED, AND, AS IN FORMER TIMES, THE CAMPS OF KOHANIM, LEVITES, AND ISRAELITES WILL SURROUND THE DWELLING OF THE SHECHINAH.
2 DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM! YOU WILL BECOME EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU RETURN TO YOUR LAND AND ASCEND TO JERUSALEM THREE TIMES A YEAR. WHEN YOU FILL MY CITY AND CIRCLE THROUGH IT, YOU WILL AGAIN BE DEAR AND PRECIOUS TO ME, LIKE EXQUISITE DIAMONDS CRAFTED BY A MASTER.
3 YOUR INFLUENCE WILL NEVER CEASE FOR A MOMENT; YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE AS NUMEROUS AS GRAINS IN A HEAP OF WHEAT. THEY WILL PROTECT THEMSELVES WITH BEAUTIFUL FENCES THAT KEEP THEM FROM WHAT IS FORBIDDEN.
4 YOUR TWO SUPPORTS, EQUAL IN GREATNESS—the king who governs the land and the high priest who serves G-d—WILL HEED AND COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER LIKE TWO LOVERS.
5 YOUR SAGES, THE “EYES” OF THE COMMUNITY, WILL INSIGHTFULLY GUIDE THE PEOPLE; THEY WILL BE STRAIGHT MEN, LIKE A TOWER OF LEBANON, AND INJUSTICE WILL BE FOREIGN TO THE JUDGES OF THE FUTURE.
6 THE SHECHINAH WILL BE REVEALED ON CARMEL, AND THE PROPHETS, WHO WILL FULLY REGAIN THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, WILL TELL US WHAT AWAITS AT THE END OF DAYS. THE RULER OF THE WORLD WILL REIGN IN THE TEMPLE AND NEVER LEAVE IT.
7 HOW I WILL REJOICE WHEN YOU RETURN TO YOUR LAND! THE WORLD HAS KNOWN NO SUCH JOY THROUGHOUT ALL THE YEARS OF EXILE.
8 THE ENTIRE PEOPLE WILL BE UPRIGHT; THE BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE OF ITS KING AND HIGH PRIEST WILL MAKE IT LIKE A GRAPE CLUSTER THAT YIELDS WINE IN ABUNDANCE.
9 THE SHECHINAH WILL DWELL UPON IT AND NEVER DEPART. IN A LITTLE WHILE, THE KING AND HIGH PRIEST WILL BESTOW THEIR BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE UPON YOU, AND I WILL AGAIN DESIRE THE WONDERFUL FRAGRANCE OF YOUR SACRIFICES.
10 THE WORDS OF YOUR PRAYERS ARE LIKE A CUP OF FINE WINE PASSED AMONG LOVERS. AS WINE LIFTS THE SPIRIT, SO WHAT YOU SAY BRINGS ME JOY.
11 Israel said: I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT I BELONG TO HIM ALONE; HE WILL NOT REJECT ME OR TRADE ME FOR ANY OTHER NATION.
12 JUDGE ME NOT LIKE THE INHABITANTS OF GREAT CITIES, WHERE ROBBERY AND PROMISCUITY FLOURISH, BUT LIKE VILLAGERS OCCUPIED WITH THEIR CRAFT AND STUDYING TORAH IN POVERTY.
13 FROM EARLY MORNING MY SYNAGOGUES AND HOUSES OF STUDY ARE FULL. LOOK AT THE STUDENTS AND SAGES—in them the wisdom of Torah blossoms, and the fragrance of good deeds rises. ONLY THERE WILL YOU RECOGNIZE THE GREATNESS OF MY GRATITUDE AND LOVE FOR YOU.
14 EVEN THE IGNORANT AMONG YOUR PEOPLE EMIT THE FRAGRANCE OF GOOD DEEDS: THEY ARE FULL OF VIRTUES, FULL OF NEW AND OLD MERITS. ALL THIS IS NOT FOR PRIDE, BUT SOLELY FOR THE HONOR OF YOUR NAME. AND IF THIS IS TRUE OF YOUR COMMON PEOPLE, WHAT CAN BE SAID OF THE SCHOLARS AND SAGES!
Chapter 8
1 O, IF ONLY ALL THE OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT ME FROM SERVING YOU WITH A PURE HEART COULD BE REMOVED! THEN, WHEREVER I WENT, I WOULD DEVOTE MYSELF TO YOUR TORAH AND ITS COMMANDMENTS!
2 I WOULD STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND THE HIDDEN MEANING OF THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE INNER SECRETS OF TORAH, AND FOLLOW THEM IN THE SMALLEST DETAILS, ATTAINING THE HEIGHT OF PERFECTION,
3 AND THEN THE SHECHINAH WOULD REST UPON ME IN GREAT LOVE.
4 PUNISHMENT WILL BEFALL YOU, O NATIONS OF THE WORLD, IF YOU TRY TO FORCE ME TO BETRAY MY BELOVED AND THEREBY CAUSE HIM TO DESPISE ME. BUT I THREATEN YOU WITH PUNISHMENT ONLY UNTIL OUR LOVE RETURNS OF ITS OWN ACCORD.
5 WHO ELSE, O CREATOR, BELIEVED IN YOU AS I DID, FOLLOWING YOU INTO THE BARREN WILDERNESS? FROM THE MOMENT ABRAHAM REVEALED YOUR NATURE TO THE WORLD, HIS DESCENDANTS HAVE REMAINED FAITHFUL TO YOU.
6 MY LOVE FOR YOU IS SO GREAT THAT I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LOSE IT. BUT DO NOT DEPRIVE ME OF YOUR LOVE EITHER. HOW I ENVY THE NATIONS THAT LIVE SECURELY IN THEIR OWN LANDS WHILE I AM ABANDONED AND HOMELESS! LIKE GLOWING COALS THAT PRESERVE THE HEAT OF A FIRE, MY LOVE CANNOT BE COOLED BY EXILE.
7 NO POWER CAN EXTINGUISH SUCH LOVE. DESERVING OF MOCKERY AND CONTEMPT IS THE ONE WHO AGREES TO TRADE IT FOR GOLD AND SILVER.
8 THE HOUR OF REDEMPTION IS NEAR, YET I CANNOT STOP WORRYING ABOUT THE FATE OF MY BROTHERS—the Ten Tribes scattered throughout the lands of my enemies. They have neither prophets nor sages of Torah; what merits will bring them redemption?
9 The Almighty answered: IF THEY STAND LIKE A WALL AND DO NOT ALLOW THE NATIONS TO CLEAVE TO THEM, THEY WILL MERIT SEEING THE RESTORED TEMPLE. BUT IF THEY OPEN THE DOOR AND ALLOW FOREIGNERS TO MIX WITH THEM, THEY WILL REMAIN IN THE DARKNESS OF EXILE.
10 Israel said: MY FAITH IS FIRM LIKE A WALL, AND THE SYNAGOGUES AND HOUSES OF STUDY THAT SUSTAIN MY PEOPLE ARE STRONG LIKE TOWERS. AND IN HIS EYES I AM LIKE A BRIDE WHO HAS ATTAINED PERFECTION.
11 ISRAEL IS LIKE THE KING'S VINEYARD IN THE CROWDED CITY OF JERUSALEM. HE HANDED HER OVER TO HARSH GUARDIANS—BABYLON, PERSIA, GREECE, AND EDOM. THEY IMPOSED EXCESSIVE TRIBUTES ON ISRAEL AND LAID HER WASTE.
12 On the Day of Judgment, the Almighty will say to the nations: DESPITE THE FACT THAT I DELIVERED ISRAEL INTO YOUR HANDS, SHE IS MINE! YOU WILL RETURN IN FULL EVERYTHING YOU EXACTED FROM HER. And the nations will answer: EVERYTHING WE COLLECTED, WE WILL RETURN TO YOU, O KING! WE WILL EVEN ADD TO IT FROM OUR OWN FUNDS AND GIVE IT TO THE LEADERS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND ITS SAGES.
13 The Almighty said to Israel: O YOU WHO, EVEN IN DISPERSION, DO NOT ABANDON THE SYNAGOGUE AND HOUSE OF STUDY! ONLY WHEN THEY HEAR YOUR PRAYERS AND THE WORDS OF TORAH RISING FROM YOUR LIPS DO THE MINISTERING ANGELS SANCTIFY ME.
14 Israel said: HASTEN, MY BELOVED; LEAVE EXILE WITH US AND BRING US OUT FROM AMONG THE NATIONS. HASTEN THE REDEMPTION AND REVEAL YOUR SHECHINAH TO US IN THE HOLY TEMPLE ON MOUNT MORIAH!
(With gratitude to Rabbi Tzvi Wasserman)
See also Shir HaShirim
