The very first verse tells us: “The Song of Songs, that is Solomon’s” (Song of Songs 1:1). And the Rabbis, in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, begin by linking it to a verse from Proverbs: “Have you seen a man diligent in his labor? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before dark ones” (Proverbs 22:29). Seems like a leap. But stick with me.
The Sages see this “diligent man” as Joseph, the son of Jacob, sold into slavery in Egypt. Remember him? The Torah tells us, “He came into the house to perform his labor, and none of the men of the house were there” (Genesis 39:11).
Now, Rabbis Yehuda and Nehemya have slightly different takes on this. Rabbi Yehuda describes it as a day of “disgrace and manure,” a rather colorful way to refer to Egyptian ritual worship. He uses these words to demean such idolatry. Rabbi Nehemya says it was a day of theater honoring the Nile. Either way, everyone was off celebrating, but Joseph? He was diligently working, calculating his master's accounts.
Rabbi Pinchas, in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Abba, adds another layer: “Anyone who serves his master properly is set free.” Where do we learn this? From Joseph himself! Because of his dedication, he was ultimately freed from slavery.
And here’s where the Proverbs verse comes back into play. "He will stand before kings," it says. And who does Joseph stand before? Pharaoh! As it is written: “Pharaoh sent and summoned Joseph, and they rushed him from the dungeon” (Genesis 41:14). Talk about a promotion.
But what about the second part of the verse? “He will not stand before dark ones.” This, the Rabbis explain, refers to Potiphar, Joseph’s former master. The text implies that the Holy One, blessed be He, intervened, blinding Potiphar and even castrating him. A harsh consequence, perhaps, but a clear indication of divine justice.
So, what does all this have to do with the Song of Songs, a book about love and longing? Well, maybe it’s about faithfulness, about the rewards of dedication, and about the power of divine intervention. The story of Joseph, a man who remained true to himself and his responsibilities even in the face of temptation and hardship, sets the stage. It hints that true love, like true service, requires diligence, integrity, and perhaps, a little bit of divine favor. It's a reminder that even in the most unlikely of places, amidst the "disgrace and manure" of the world, love and redemption can blossom.