Beautiful. But what's it really saying?
Well, let's dive in, guided by the wisdom of Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a classic commentary on the Song of Songs.
The verse begins, "His cheeks are like a bed of spices." Rabbi Yannai offers a fascinating interpretation. He recalls his youth when he and his fellow students would gather in the street to study Torah. But here's the thing: they weren't all in agreement! Different groups would have different lines of reasoning, different perspectives. And that, according to Rabbi Yannai, is the point. Just like a bed of spices contains a variety of aromas and tastes, so too should our engagement with Torah embrace diverse interpretations. As the Etz Yosef commentary explains, different groups of students will naturally see things differently.
Then the verse continues, "Growths of spices." What does that add? The commentary draws a parallel: just as a growth of spices includes all sorts of different scents and flavors, a true Torah scholar must be well-versed in a wide range of Jewish texts. The scholar should be full of Bible, Mishna (the core text of the Oral Torah), Talmud (the rabbinic discussions and debates on the Mishna), halakhot (Jewish laws), and aggadot (stories and legends). It's a holistic picture, a call for breadth and depth in our learning.
The passage even goes a step further, noting that priests and Levites are from Jacob, suggesting that just as there are different kinds of spices, the descendants of Jacob fulfill a variety of roles.
But the verse doesn't end there. It moves on to the lips: "His lips are lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh." Now, this is where it gets really interesting. The commentary distinguishes between two kinds of Torah scholars. "His lips are lilies" refers to a scholar who is fluent, well-versed in their studies. Easy peasy. But what about "dripping with flowing myrrh"? Here, the commentary offers a more nuanced, even challenging, view. It suggests that this describes a scholar who isn't so fluent, whose lips are dripping with myrrh – something bitter, as the Matnot Kehuna points out. Perhaps they make mistakes, or have to work extra hard to arrive at the correct answer. But here's the crucial part: even though it's a struggle, they persevere! They review, they clarify, and ultimately they deepen their understanding.
So, what does this all mean? Perhaps the verse is a reminder that the pursuit of wisdom isn't always easy or uniform. Sometimes, like a bed of spices, it's a complex blend of different perspectives. Sometimes, like a growth of spices, it requires us to cultivate a broad and deep understanding. And sometimes, like lips dripping with myrrh, it involves struggle, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the bitter challenges that ultimately lead to sweeter understanding.
Maybe the beauty of Torah isn't just in the perfect pronouncements, but in the striving, the questioning, and the diverse voices that enrich our understanding.