We start with a verse: “Emerge, daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, at the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of the rejoicing of his heart” (Song of Songs 3:11). But the Rabbis, in their insightful way, take this simple verse as a springboard for much, much more.
First, who are these "sons... conspicuous [metzuyanim] for me"? The text suggests they are conspicuous "in haircut, in circumcision, in ritual fringes." And King Solomon [Shlomo]? He's not just a historical figure, but a symbol. According to the text, he represents "the King who created perfect [shelemot] creations." Everything from the sun and moon to the stars and constellations were created in their completeness. Bar Kappara even says that Adam and Eve were created as if they were twenty years old!
But the ideas go deeper. King Solomon, whose name, Shlomo, is linked to peace (shalom), represents the King who brings peace. "At King Solomon [Shlomo]," the text says, "the King who made peace between His works and His creatures." How did He do that? By ensuring Abraham wasn’t harmed by fire, Isaac wasn’t harmed by the sword, and Jacob wasn’t harmed in his struggle with an angel. It’s a powerful image of divine protection and the maintenance of balance.
The commentary continues, exploring how God makes peace even between seemingly contradictory elements. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai teaches that the firmament is made of snow, while the celestial creatures are made of fire. We find verses in Ezekiel (1:22, 1:13, 1:14) that support this idea, describing a firmament "resembling the awesome ice" and creatures with "the appearance was like fiery coals." Yet, one doesn't extinguish the other!
Think about that for a moment. Fire and snow existing in harmony, not destroying each other.
The text goes on to personify this balance with the angels: Mikhael, the angel of snow, and Gabriel, the angel of fire. Again, they exist in harmony. Rabbi Avin even takes it a step further, suggesting that even within a single angel, who is half snow and half fire, God ensures peace. This angel is described in Daniel 10:6 with five different elements: beryl, lightning, torches of fire, burnished brass, and the voice of a multitude. Each is unique, yet they coexist within a single being.
This theme continues, with verses from Psalms, Deuteronomy and Daniel being brought to bear: water above, consuming fire, and a throne of sparks. And yet, according to Rabbi Yoḥanan, “He makes peace in His high places” (Job 25:2). The firmament is water, the stars are fire, and they don't harm each other. The sun, it is said, has never seen the defect of the moon!
Even the plagues of Egypt, a time of immense disruption, are seen through the lens of harmony. Remember the hail and fire? "There was hail, and fire aflame within the hail” (Exodus 9:24). Rabbi Yuda describes bowls of hail filled with fire, while Rabbi Neḥemya sees fire and hail intermingled. The Rabbis see this as a miracle within a miracle. Rabbi Aḥa uses the analogy of two warring legions who, seeing their king's war intensifying, make peace to fight together. In the same way, fire and hail, enemies by nature, unite to wage war against the Egyptians, fulfilling God’s will.
So, what does all this mean? This passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah isn't just about angels and celestial bodies. It's about the fundamental principle of balance in the universe. It's about how seemingly opposing forces can coexist, even collaborate, when guided by a higher purpose. It’s a reminder that even in times of chaos and conflict, harmony is possible, and that maybe, just maybe, the secret to peace lies in recognizing the delicate balance that sustains us all.