Another matter, “then Moses…sang” – that is what is written: “With me from Lebanon, my bride, [with me from Lebanon, come]” (Song of Songs 4:8). Rabbi Levi said: The standard practice is that a bride is adorned and perfumed and then she is taken to the wedding canopy. But the Holy One blessed be He did not do so, but rather, He said to the congregation of Israel: “With me from Lebanon [Levanon], my bride,” – from the mortar and the bricks [levenim] I have taken you, and I have rendered you a bride.
Why does it say “with me from Lebanon” twice? The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘With Me you have been exiled from the Temple that is called Lebanon, as it is stated: “I climbed the highest mountain to the ends of Lebanon”’ (Isaiah 37:24). From where is it derived that the Divine Presence went with Israel into exile? It is as it is stated: “Because of you I sent to Babylon” (Isaiah 43:14), and it says: “The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel son of Buzi the priest” (Ezekiel 1:3).4This prophecy took place in Babylon.
Likewise, Daniel says: “I was by the side of the great river, the Tigris” (Daniel 10:4). Likewise Moses said: “But despite all this, while they will be in the land of their enemies…I am not able to forsake them…as I am the Lord their God” (Leviticus 26:44). I have acted due to the sanctity of My name, and with Me you will return; that is what is written: “With me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon, come” (Song of Songs 4:8).
From the kingdoms that are called Lebanon, as it is stated: “Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon” (Ezekiel 31:3). Likewise it says: “The one who breaches goes before them…and their king passed before them and God is at their head” (Micha 2:13).5God leads them out of exile, from the kingdoms called Lebanon. “Look from the top of Amana” (Song of Songs 4:8). Rabbi Yusta said: ‘There is a mountain named Amana.
Until that mountain is the Land of Israel, and beyond it is outside the Land.’ Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Yosei said: When the exiles will reach there,6On their return from the exile. they will recite song; that is why it says: “Look from the top of Amana.” Alternatively, “look from the top of Amana [from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of leopards]” (Song of Songs 4:8).
Israel is destined to recite song in the future, as it is stated: “Sing to the Lord a new song; as He has performed wonders” (Psalms 98:1). Due to whose merit does Israel recite song? It is due to the merit of Abraham, who believed in the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: ”He believed in God” (Genesis 15:6). This is the faith [emuna] by virtue of which Israel inherits [the Land], and in his regard, the verse states: “But the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4); that is: “Look from the top of Amana.”
“From the top of Senir” – due to the merit of Isaac; “and Hermon” – due to the merit of Jacob; “from the lions’ den” – the Babylonian and Persian exile; “from the mountains of leopards” – this is Edom. Another matter, “look from the top of Amana” – Rabbi Neḥemya said: Israel merited to recite song at the sea only due to the merit of belief [emuna], as it is stated: “The people believed” (Exodus 4:31), and it is written: “They believed in the Lord” (Exodus 14:31).
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Could they have seen all those miracles that were performed on their behalf and not have believed? Rather, Rabbi Shimon bar Abba said: It is because of the belief that Abraham believed in the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated; “He believed in the Lord” (Genesis 15:6). Because of it, Israel merited to recite song, as it is stated: “Then Moses…sang” – that is: “Look from the top of Amana.”7The midrash interprets the verse “Look [tashuri] from the top [rosh] of Amana” to mean: You will sing [tashiri] due to the leader [rosh] of those who had faith [emuna], namely Abraham.