The Song of Songs, that beautiful, evocative poem, begins with the line: "The sound of my beloved! Behold, he approaches, he leaps over the mountains and bounds over the hills" (Song of Songs 2:8). But what does that really mean? In Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a classic commentary on the Song of Songs, three Rabbis – Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Neḥemya, and a group simply referred to as "the Rabbis" – each offer their interpretations of this verse. And their takes? They’re nothing short of mind-bending.
Rabbi Yehuda sees this verse as a direct reference to Moses. Imagine the scene: Moses comes to the Israelites in Egypt, proclaiming their imminent redemption. He says, "During this month you will be redeemed!" But the people are skeptical. They challenge him, saying, “Moses, our master, how can this be? Didn't God say to Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved for four hundred years (Genesis 15:13)? But we’ve only been here for two hundred and ten!”
Here’s where it gets interesting. Rabbi Yehuda interprets the phrase "he leaps over the mountains" as God disregarding the meticulous calculations of time. Those "mountains and hills," he explains, are "terminuses and intercalations" – essentially, fixed points and adjustments in the calendar. God, in His desire to redeem His people, transcends these limitations. He "leaps over calculations," ignoring the constraints of time itself. "During this month you will be redeemed," Moses declares, "as it is stated: 'This month is for you the beginning of the months' (Exodus 12:2)." It’s a powerful image of divine will overriding the perceived limitations of reality.
Rabbi Neḥemya offers a slightly different, but equally compelling, perspective. He also sees the verse as Moses announcing the redemption. Again, the Israelites are doubtful. This time, their concern isn't about time, but about merit. “Moses, our master, how will we be redeemed? We don't have any good deeds to our credit!”
Rabbi Neḥemya's interpretation of "he leaps over the mountains" then becomes about God overlooking their sins. God, in His infinite mercy, doesn't focus on their failings. Instead, He looks "at the righteous in your midst, and their actions, such as Amram and his court." It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the righteousness of a few can be a catalyst for redemption.
These interpretations found in Shir HaShirim Rabbah offer a profound message. They tell us that redemption isn't always about perfect timing or flawless behavior. Sometimes, it's about God's willingness to transcend limitations – whether those limitations are imposed by time, or by our own imperfections. Sometimes, it’s about seeing beyond the immediate reality and trusting in a power greater than ourselves.
So, the next time you feel like you're facing an impossible situation, remember the "leaping" of God, as described by Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya. Maybe, just maybe, redemption is closer than you think.