We find this echoed in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon. This text isn't just about romance; it's a profound allegory for the relationship between God and the Jewish people. The verse "My beloved is mine, and I am his, who herds among the lilies" (Song of Songs 2:16) becomes a springboard for understanding this intricate bond.
"My beloved is mine, and I am his," the commentary states. He is God for me, and I am a nation for Him. It's a mutual declaration, a covenant. As God says, "I am the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:2), so too are the Jewish people His nation, as Isaiah proclaims: "Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation" (Isaiah 51:4).
The relationship deepens. He is a father to me, and I am a son to Him. We find this paternal connection in Isaiah: "For You are our Father" (Isaiah 63:16), and in Exodus: "My son, My firstborn, Israel" (Exodus 4:22). He is a shepherd, as we hear in Psalms 80:2, "Shepherd of Israel, listen," and we are His flock, as Ezekiel 34:31 says, "you, My flock, flock of My pasture." He is our guardian, never sleeping, never ceasing to watch over us, as Psalms 121:4 reminds us: "Behold, the Guardian of Israel does not slumber and does not sleep." And we? We are His vineyard, cultivated with care, as Isaiah 5:7 states: "For the house of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of hosts."
There's a reciprocal protection inherent in this love. He is for us against those who provoke us, remember the smiting of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:12, 29). And we are for Him against those who anger Him, recalling the Israelite's defiance of Egyptian gods. "Against all the gods of Egypt I will administer punishment" (Exodus 12:12), and we slaughtered them to Him, as it is stated: "Behold, will we slaughter the abomination of Egypt before their eyes, and they will not stone us?” (Exodus 8:22). The Passover lamb itself becomes a symbol of this defiance, "they shall each take for them a lamb for each patrilineal home" (Exodus 12:3).
The commentary then turns to the imagery of wine, of hamazeg (mixed wine). God says, "Let the proportion [hamazeg] not be skewed," (Song of Songs 7:3). And we respond, "You are my good beloved, if only Your goodness will never be lacking from me," echoing the sentiment of Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not lack."
Rabbi Yehuda bar Rabbi Ilai beautifully encapsulates this call-and-response dynamic: He sang to me and I sang to Him; He lauded me and I lauded Him. He called me: "My sister, My love, My faultless dove" (Song of Songs 5:2), and I said to Him: "This is my beloved and this is my companion" (Song of Songs 5:16). He said to me: "Behold you are fair my love" (Song of Songs 4:1), and I said to Him: "Behold, you are fair, my beloved, pleasant too" (Song of Songs 1:16).
It's a conversation, a constant exchange of love and devotion. He asks, "Happy are you Israel, who is like you?" (Deuteronomy 33:29). We answer, "Who is like You among the powers, Lord?" (Exodus 15:11). He proclaims, "Who is like Your people Israel, one nation in the land" (I Chronicles 17:21). And twice daily, we declare the unity of His name: "Hear Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4) – the undefined.
When we need something, we turn to Him. "God heard their groaning…God saw the children of Israel" (Exodus 2:23–25). And when He needs something, He turns to us. "Speak to the entire congregation of Israel, saying: [In the tenth day of this month they shall take for themselves every man a lamb]" (Exodus 12:3).
When Pharaoh pursued them, "the children of Israel cried out to the Lord" (Exodus 14:10). And when He sought a gift, He asked it of them: "Speak to the children of Israel and let them take a gift for Me" (Exodus 25:2). Even in times of oppression, as in the Book of Judges, "The Children of Israel cried out to the Lord" (Judges 4:3). And when He desired a dwelling place, He asked for their help: "They shall make a sanctuary for Me" (Exodus 25:8).
So, what does all this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that our relationship with the Divine is not a one-way street. It's a dance, a dialogue, a constant give and take. It's about recognizing the love that surrounds us and responding in kind, through our actions, our prayers, and our devotion. Maybe, just maybe, that's how we truly find ourselves within this ancient and enduring love story.