And like any great poem, it's been interpreted in countless ways. Today, we're diving into one particularly fascinating interpretation from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs.
We'll be focusing on the verse, "Your lips drip nectar, my bride, honey and milk are under your tongue, and the scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon" (Song of Songs 4:11). It's a powerful image, right? But what does it mean?
The Rabbis, in their wisdom, see layers upon layers of meaning. Rabbi Derosa and Rabbi Yirmeya, quoting Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak, make a staggering claim: that six hundred thousand prophets arose for Israel in the days of Elijah. Rabbi Yaakov, in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan, even doubles that number to one million two hundred thousand!
Where did they get such a huge number? Rabbi Yoḥanan points to the borders of the kingdom of Judah, citing six hundred thousand cities between Gevat and Antipatris. He reasons that even if the tainted cities of Beit El and Jericho had only two prophets each, surely the other cities had at least that many. But if there were so many prophets, why aren't their prophecies recorded in the Bible?
Here's where it gets really interesting. The commentary explains that prophecies were only publicized if they were "required for the generations." In other words, if a prophecy had a timeless message, something that future generations needed to hear, it was preserved. If not, it wasn't. But don't worry, the Rabbis assure us: In the future, God will reveal all these hidden prophecies! As it says in Zechariah 14:5, "The Lord my God will come, all the holy ones with You."
And it doesn't stop there. Rabbi Berekhya, quoting Rabbi Ḥelbo, adds that just as there were six hundred thousand prophets, there were also six hundred thousand prophetesses! It's a powerful statement about the role of women in ancient Israel. Solomon, the traditional author of Song of Songs, then publicized them, as it is stated: “Your lips drip nectar, my bride.” The drop of nectar on the lips represents prophecy, and “my bride” is an allusion to prophetesses.
But what about the connection to the verse itself? How does "Your lips drip nectar, my bride" relate to all these prophets and prophetesses? Well, the Rabbis see the "nectar" as a metaphor for prophecy itself – sweet, nourishing, and life-giving.
Rabbi Huna and Rabbi Ḥalafta of Caesarea, quoting Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, then shift the focus to Torah scholars. They compare a Torah scholar to a bride adorned with twenty-four ornaments (alluding to the twenty-four books of the Hebrew Bible). Just as a bride needs all her ornaments to be complete, a Torah scholar must be familiar with all twenty-four books.
The Rabbis go on to say that like a bride, a Torah scholar should also be modest and without fault. It's a high standard, no doubt!
Finally, the commentary touches on the importance of delivering Torah in a way that is pleasing to the listeners. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon, Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina, and other Rabbis each offer their own analogy. If the words of Torah are not as pleasant to the listeners as fine flour, honey, or mingled honey and milk, it would have been better not to say them at all. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish Lakish even compare it to a bride who isn't pleasant to the people or her husband at her wedding canopy.
What's the takeaway from all this? It seems the Rabbis are telling us that Torah, like a beautiful bride, should be presented with grace, humility, and a deep understanding of its audience. It's not enough to simply know the words; we must also strive to make them accessible and meaningful to others. And, perhaps, to recognize the often-overlooked voices of prophecy, both male and female, that have shaped our tradition.
So, the next time you read the Song of Songs, remember those six hundred thousand (or one million two hundred thousand!) prophets and prophetesses. Remember the bride adorned with twenty-four ornaments. And remember the importance of sharing Torah in a way that is truly sweet and nourishing to the soul.