That’s the feeling at the heart of a beautiful passage from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, the rabbinic commentary on the Song of Songs. It starts with the line, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys" (Song of Songs 2:1). And it unpacks it in such a gorgeous way.
The text imagines the congregation of Israel – Knesset Yisrael, the Jewish people – speaking. "I am a rose [ḥavatzelet] of Sharon," they say. "I am as I am, yet I am beloved [ḥaviva]." Isn't that amazing? Despite everything, despite our flaws, we are loved. More than seventy nations, in fact!
But what does the "rose of Sharon" actually mean? The Rabbis play with the words, revealing layers of meaning. "A rose [ḥavatzelet] of Sharon," they say, "I made Him shelter [tzel] by means of Betzalel," the artisan who built the Ark of the Covenant. "Betzalel crafted the Ark" (Exodus 37:1). The wordplay connects the beauty of the rose to the creation of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the desert. Then, "Of Sharon," is connected to reciting song [shira] before Him by means of Moses, as it is written: “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang” (Exodus 15:1). The rose is both shelter and song.
The text continues, drawing parallels between the rose and key moments in Jewish history. “I am a rose of Sharon.” The congregation of Israel says: "I am as I am, yet I am beloved." It's a constant refrain, a grounding reminder. It is I who was shrouded in the shadow of Egypt, but the Holy One blessed be He brought me quickly to Rameses. I sprouted good deeds like a lily, and I recited a song before Him, as it is stated: “The song will be for you like the night of the consecration of the festival” (Isaiah 30:29). This refers to the song after the fall of Sennacherib being like the Hallel that they recited in Egypt on the night before their Exodus.
There's a vulnerability in admitting "I am as I am," but it's followed immediately by the assertion of being loved. This idea of being loved despite our imperfections is so central to Jewish thought.
Consider this: "I am a rose of Sharon." I am as I am, yet I am beloved. It is I who was shrouded in the shadow of the sea, but I quickly sprouted good deeds like a lily, and I pointed to Him with my finger [and pronounced that He is] my Master, as it is stated: “This is my God and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2). The Israelites were trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's army, yet they responded with faith, declaring "This is my God!"
And again, "I am a rose of Sharon." I am as I am, yet I am beloved. It is I who was shrouded in the shadow of Sinai. God suspended the mountain over the Israelites, threatening to obliterate them if they refused to accept the Torah, as we learn in Shabbat 88a. I quickly blossomed good deeds with my hand and my heart, and I said before Him: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will perform and we will heed” (Exodus 24:7). Even under duress, the Israelites affirmed their commitment to God.
Finally, the text looks to the future: "I am a rose of Sharon." I am as I am, yet I am beloved. It is I who was shrouded and trampled in the shadow of kingdoms. Tomorrow, when the Holy One blessed be He redeems me from the shadow of the kingdoms, I will blossom like a lily, and I will recite a new song before Him, as it is stated: “A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and His holy arm have wrought salvation for Him” (Psalms 98:1). Even in times of oppression, the hope for redemption remains.
What a powerful message. It's a reminder that even when we feel small, insignificant, or overshadowed, we are still beloved. And that love empowers us to blossom, to sing, and to create a more beautiful world. And isn't that something worth holding onto?