Take this one, from Song of Songs 4:3: “Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your speech is lovely; your temple is like a pomegranate slice behind your braid.”

What does it even mean?

Well, that's where the Rabbis come in. They saw in this verse not just a description of physical beauty, but a reflection of the spiritual beauty of the Jewish people, particularly as revealed in the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the rabbinic commentary on Song of Songs, unpacks this verse layer by layer, revealing hidden depths.

"Your lips are like a scarlet thread," the verse begins. Shir HaShirim Rabbah connects this crimson image to the triumphant song the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea: "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel" (Exodus 15:1). That moment of liberation, of collective joy and praise, is what gives the lips their vibrant color. It's not just about physical appearance; it's about the power of song, the power of gratitude, and the power of shared experience.

And the verse continues: “Your speech is lovely [naveh].” Here, the Rabbis draw a brilliant connection to the verse that immediately follows the song: “This is my God and I will glorify Him [ve’anvehu]” (Exodus 15:2). The word naveh, "lovely," is linked to ve’anvehu, "and I will glorify Him." But it's more than just a linguistic connection. The Rabbis see in the Israelites' declaration – pointing with their fingers, overcome with emotion – the ultimate expression of beautiful speech. It's speech filled with faith, with love, with a profound connection to the Divine. This wasn't just poetry; it was a moment of pure, unadulterated revelation.

Then comes the image of the pomegranate: “Your temple [rakatekh] is like a pomegranate slice.” Rakatekh, often translated as "temple," is here interpreted as a reference to the entire community. Moses, in this interpretation, praises the people: "Even the empty [hareikan] among you is packed with mitzvot like this pomegranate." Think about a pomegranate – bursting with seeds, each one a tiny jewel. The Rabbis are saying that even those who might seem less observant, less outwardly pious, are still filled with good deeds, with potential, with a deep-seated commitment to Jewish life. Every single person counts, every single person contributes to the richness and fullness of the community. What a powerful message of inclusion!

And finally, "Behind your braid [letzamatekh]" speaks to the modest and the fervent [metzumatin] among the people. This suggests that true beauty lies not just in outward appearance, but in inner qualities like humility and dedication. The braid, a symbol of modesty, conceals and reveals at the same time. It hints at a deeper, more profound beauty that comes from living a life of purpose and meaning.

So, what do we take away from all this? The Rabbis, through their ingenious interpretations, transformed a seemingly simple love poem into a powerful statement about the Jewish people, their history, and their relationship with God. It's a reminder that beauty exists not just on the surface, but in the depths of our actions, our words, and our intentions. And that every single one of us, like a seed in a pomegranate, has something valuable to contribute.