“The Lord said to Abram” – Rabbi Berekhya began: “We have a little sister, and she has no breasts…” (Song of Songs 8:8). “We have a little sister [aḥot]” – this is Abraham, who joined together [iḥa] all the people of the world [in the service of God]. Bar Kappara said: Like one who sews up [meaḥeh] a tear. “Little” – while he was still little, he amassed mitzvot and good deeds.
“And she has no breasts” – he was not suckled with mitzvot and good deeds.1He was not brought up by parents who fostered belief in God. “What shall we do for our sister on the day that she will be spoken for?” (Song of Songs 8:8) – on the day that Nimrod decreed upon him to be cast into the fiery furnace.2See Bereshit Rabba 38:13. “If she is a wall, we will build upon her” (Song of Songs 8:9) – if he stands firm on his principles, like a wall, “we will build upon her.”
“And if she is a door [delet], we will decorate her” (Song of Songs 8:9) – if he is deficient [dal] in mitzvot and good deeds, “we will decorate [natzur] her with cedar panels” – just as a decoration is only temporary, so, too, I will support him only temporarily. He [Abram] said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, “I am a wall” (Song of Songs 8:10) – I stand firm on my principles.’ “My breasts are like the towers” (Song of Songs 8:10) – this refers to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya.
“Then I was, in his eyes, as one who finds peace” (Song of Songs 8:10) – as he entered [the furnace] in peace and emerged in peace.