Specifically, the verse, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me" (Song of Songs 7:11).
But what does that desire really mean? Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Song of Songs, dives deep into that very question.
It suggests that there are actually three distinct kinds of desires at play in the world.
First, there's the desire of Israel for their Father in Heaven. It's that unwavering faith, that constant seeking of connection with the Divine. "I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me," the verse echoes, a perfect reflection of this mutual longing. We yearn for God, and God, in turn, desires our connection.
Then, there's the desire of a woman for her husband. This is a more earthly desire, of course, but no less powerful. The Torah itself touches upon this in Genesis 3:16, saying, "Your desire shall be for your husband." It speaks to the fundamental bond, the magnetic pull between two souls intertwined in marriage.
And finally, there's the desire of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination – which the text says is only for Cain and his ilk. The Torah tells us, "Its desire is for you" (Genesis 4:7). This isn't a yearning for connection, but rather a grasping, a selfish hunger that leads down a darker path. It's that internal voice whispering temptations, urging us towards actions that separate us from the good.
Rabbi Yehoshua, in the name of Rabbi Aḥa, offers another intriguing perspective: the desire of rain for the earth. Now, this might seem a little out of left field, but think about it. Rain quenches the earth’s thirst, brings life and abundance. As we find in Psalms 65:10: "You remember the earth and fulfill its desire, enriching it [tasherena] with abundance.”
But here's where it gets really interesting. Rabbi Aḥa goes on to say that "tasherena" – enriching – can also be interpreted in another way. If we merit it – ta’ashirena, [He] will enrich it. But, if we don't merit it – te’asrena, [He] will tithe it. It will produce for you only one-tenth. Wow. So even the earth's bounty, the very blessings we receive, are tied to our actions, to whether we are deserving of abundance or just a meager portion.
The text then offers one last, powerful reading of "and his desire [teshukato] is for me.” It states: we are exhausted [tashim], but even though we are exhausted we anticipate and hope for the salvation of the Holy One blessed be He each and every day. Even when we're worn down, beaten, and weary, we still hold onto that hope, that unwavering belief in redemption. And we proclaim the unity of God's name twice daily, declaring "Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad" (Deuteronomy 6:4) – "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."
So, what does all this mean for us today? Maybe it's a reminder that desire isn't always what it seems. It can be a longing for the Divine, a connection with another soul, a destructive urge, or even the earth's thirst for rain. But ultimately, it's up to us to choose which desires we nurture, which ones we allow to shape our lives. And perhaps, most importantly, to hold onto that hope, that faith, even when we're feeling utterly exhausted. Because even in those moments, the Divine desire for connection with us remains.