Ever catch a whiff of something amazing and wonder, "What is that?" Our senses are powerful doorways to memory and meaning. And in ancient Jewish tradition, few things were as powerfully evocative as the incense used in the Temple. The scent wasn't just pleasant; it was a direct line to the Divine.
Today, we're diving into Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs, to uncover some fragrant secrets about that incense. Specifically, we'll be exploring verse 1:14, "A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies between my breasts. A cluster of henna in the vineyards of Ein Gedi." What could a love poem have to do with Temple incense? More than you might think!
Rabbi Yoḥanan, in Shir HaShirim Rabbah, interprets the verse in light of the Avtinas family. The house of Avtinas was a priestly family renowned for their expertise in preparing the incense for the Temple. Think of them as the master perfumers of their day! The Mishnah in Shekalim (5:1) hints at their importance. The verse, "A bundle of myrrh," Rabbi Yoḥanan suggests, alludes to one of the eleven spices included in the sacred blend.
Rabbi Huna digs deeper, referencing Exodus 30:34, where God instructs Moses to "Take spices for you [stacte and onycha and galbanum; spices and pure frankincense; each part shall be equal]." He ingeniously counts the words and phrases to arrive at the number eleven. "Spices for you," two; "stacte, onycha, and galbanum," five; "each part shall be equal," another five; and "pure frankincense," one. From this careful parsing, the sages deduced that these eleven spices were the key to the perfect incense. Talk about reading between the lines!
The commentary continues, "Lying between my breasts, as it was confined between the two staves of the Ark." The burning incense on Yom Kippur created a cloud that filled the Holy of Holies, specifically contained within the space between the Ark's staves, according to Matnot Kehuna.
Then comes the phrase "A cluster of henna [eshkol hakofer]," which the Rabbis connect with atonement (mekhaper) for Israel's sins. Rabbi Yitzḥak describes the incense rising like a column before spreading out like a cluster. He also connects the word hakofer to atonement. We even see a connection to Leviticus 16:13, "The incense cloud will cover." But what does it mean to "cover?" David gives us a clue in Psalms 85:3: "You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sins." The incense, therefore, wasn't just a pleasant aroma; it was a symbol of divine forgiveness.
Finally, we arrive at "In the vineyards of Ein Gedi." This phrase is linked to the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15:18. The Rabbis see a connection to the sacrifices Abraham's descendants would offer. Rabbi Levi, quoting Rabbi Ḥama, even suggests that Abraham had "ruminations" after his victory over the four kings. He worried that another person might surpass his good deeds, threatening the covenant. God reassured him, saying, "Fear not, [Abram,] I am your shield" (Genesis 15:1). God promised to raise up protectors and righteous people from Abraham's line.
The commentary goes even further, interpreting "Eshkol" as a man who embodies all aspects of Torah – Bible, Mishnah, Talmud, Tosefta, and aggadot (stories). He is the "hakofer," the one who atones for Israel's sins. It's a powerful image of leadership and responsibility.
Another interpretation offered by Ben Gezira sees Eshkol as a reference to God Himself, the One in whom everything exists. Hakofer then becomes the One who renounced the other nations and acknowledged Israel. This idea is illustrated by the war of Yehoshafat in II Chronicles 20, where God aided Yehoshafat against Moab and Ammon.
Rabbi Levi bar Zekharya makes a final, poignant observation. If God, even in this world where He is described as "a consuming fire, a zealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:24), can renounce the nations and acknowledge Israel, how much more so in the future, when He will be like dew for Israel (Hosea 14:6)?
So, what does this all mean? It means that a simple verse about perfume and vineyards is actually a rich tapestry of interconnected ideas about atonement, covenant, and divine love. It shows how deeply the Rabbis explored scripture, finding layers of meaning that resonate even today. And it reminds us that even the smallest details, like the scent of incense, can hold profound spiritual significance.