That’s the story woven into the ancient commentary on the Song of Songs, Shir HaShirim Rabbah, and it centers on a woman named Elisheva.
The verse "Who is this ascending…," from Song of Songs 3:6, is interpreted as referring to Elisheva, daughter of Aminadav. But who was she, and why does the text focus on her ascent? Well, as the Rabbis tell it, Elisheva experienced five incredible celebrations all on the same day. Talk about a party!
First, she saw her brother-in-law, Moses, become king. A leader chosen by God! Then, her brother, Nahshon, was appointed a prince. Her husband, Aaron, became the High Priest, the Kohen Gadol, the one who would serve in the holiest way before God. And, to top it all off, her two sons were appointed as deputy High Priests. As if that wasn't enough, her grandson, Pinhas, became the priest anointed for war – a crucial role for the people's safety and spiritual well-being. (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:1).
Can you imagine the sheer joy, the pride, the overwhelming sense of blessing? Elisheva was at the pinnacle of happiness.
But the story takes a devastating turn.
As her sons entered to perform their priestly duties, to offer sacrifice, tragedy struck. They emerged… burnt. Consumed. Her joy, in an instant, transformed into inconsolable mourning. Her celebration became her greatest sorrow. The text says she became like columns of smoke, blackened by pain and grief. (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 6:1).
It’s a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, how quickly fortunes can change. One moment, everything is perfect; the next, devastation. The Rabbis don't shy away from the harsh realities of life; they delve right into them, using stories like Elisheva's to explore the complexities of faith, loss, and the human condition.
The text then shifts, seemingly abruptly, to another figure: Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon. When he died, his generation would read in his regard, “Who is this ascending from the wilderness…from all the powders of the merchant” (Song of Songs 3:6). What does this cryptic phrase, "from all the powders of the merchant," even mean?
Shir HaShirim Rabbah explains that Rabbi Elazar bar Rabbi Shimon was an expert in Bible, Mishna (the core of the Oral Torah), preaching, and composing ritual poetry. He was a master of all things Torah. So, the "powders of the merchant" are interpreted as representing the diverse and rich knowledge that Rabbi Elazar possessed.
But why connect this to Elisheva? What’s the common thread?
Perhaps it's the idea of ascent. Both Elisheva and Rabbi Elazar, in their own ways, "ascended." Elisheva experienced the highest earthly honors, even if they were tragically fleeting. Rabbi Elazar ascended through his wisdom and spiritual understanding. Both stories remind us that life, in all its complexity, is about striving, learning, and ultimately, facing our own ascents and descents with faith and resilience. The Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, often speaks of ascent as a spiritual journey, a striving to connect with the divine.
These ancient stories offer a profound reflection on the human experience. They remind us that joy and sorrow are often intertwined, and that even in the face of immense loss, there is still the potential for growth, wisdom, and ultimately, ascent. Can we, like Elisheva and Rabbi Elazar, find meaning and purpose even when life feels like a wilderness? Maybe that's the question we're meant to grapple with.