I Sleep but My Heart Is Awake - Israel's Longing for Redemption

"I sleep, but my heart is awake" (Song of Songs 5:2). For the Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the worlds, I sleep away from the Temple, but my heart is awake in the synagogues and in the houses of study. I sleep away from the offerings, but my heart is awake in the commandments and in acts of righteousness. I sleep away from the commandments, but my heart is awake to perform them. I sleep away from the appointed end, but my heart is awake for the redemption. I sleep away from the redemption, but my heart is awake toward the Holy One, blessed be He, until He redeems me. Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba said: Where do we find that the Holy One, blessed be He, is called the heart of Israel? From this verse: "God is the Rock of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalms 73:26). "The voice of my beloved knocks" (Song of Songs 5:2) — this is Moses, as it is said, "And Moses said: Thus says the LORD: About midnight" (Exodus 11:4). "Open to me" (Song of Songs 5:2) — Rabbi Yose said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Open to me an opening like the eye of a needle, and I will open for you an opening through which tents and turrets may enter. "My sister" (Song of Songs 5:2) — in Egypt, where they were joined to Me through two commandments: through the blood of the Passover and through the blood of circumcision. "My friend" (ibid.) — they were made beloved to Him at the Sea, and they said, "The LORD shall reign for ever and ever" (Exodus 15:18). "My dove" (Song of Songs 5:2) — at Marah, where I was commanded like a dove through commandments. "My perfect one" (Song of Songs 5:2) — for they were made whole for Me at Sinai, and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do and obey" (Exodus 24:7). "For my head is filled with dew" (Song of Songs 5:2) — as it is said, "Indeed, the heavens dripped" (Judges 5:4).