“The one who dwells in the gardens, companions listen to your voice; let me hear it” (Song of Songs 8:13). “The one who dwells in the gardens, companions listen to your voice; let me hear it” – Rabbi Natan said in the name of Rabbi Aḥa: [This is analogous] to a king who became angry at his servants and incarcerated them in prison cells. What did the king do? He took all of his royal guard and his [other] servants, and they went to hear what they would say.
He heard that they were saying: ‘Our lord the king is our praise, he is our life. Let us never lack our lord the king.’ He said to them: ‘My children, raise your voice so that your counterparts who are near you will hear.’ So too, even though Israel are occupied in their labor all six days, on the Shabbat day they rise early, come to the synagogue, recite Shema, pass before the ark,56The prayer leader stands before the ark and recites the communal portion of the prayer service. read the Torah, and recite the haftara.
The Holy One blessed be He says to them: ‘My children, raise your voice so that the companions who are near you will hear.’ These companions are none other than the ministering angels. And make certain not to hate one another, not to be jealous of one another, not to provoke one another, and not to shame one another, so that the ministering angels will not say before Me: The Torah that You gave to Israel, they do not engage in it; behold, there is enmity, jealousy, hatred, and rivalry between them.
Rather, fulfill it in peace.’ Bar Kappara said: Why did He call the ministering angels companions? Because there is no enmity, jealousy, hatred, rivalry, heresy, and divisive words between them.