Schir haSchirim 4:8 Kabbala: Ohr Ne'erav, Idra Zuta & Sha'arei Orah

This is God’s camp (Gen. 32:3).²This preface, which is a pastiche of citations from the Bible and rabbinic literature, is exceedingly difficult to translate lucidly. The generation of those who seek Him (Ps. 24:6) will rejoice in His deeds (Ps. 149:2) like a dance of two companies (Song of Songs 7:1). Our eyes have seen and were astonished [at these teachings] arising out of the earth (I Sam. 28:13) to plant the heavens (Isa. 51:16). Like the coming out of the sun at noontime, a bright light is upon them (Isa. 9:1). The opening of their words gives light (Ps. 119:130) and shines on a divine vision to those who are sanctified in the treasure-house of the secrets of Torah which is arrayed and guarded from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of leopards (Song 4:8) [and] overlaid with sapphires (Song 5:14).

In the book of Rav Hamnuna Saba he said, the first composition King Solomon revealed, “Behold, you are fair, my love” (Song of Songs 1:14) was about that, that is, it refers to Ima, whom Aba called beloved. The second composition, “Come with me from Lebanon, my bride” (Ibid. 4:8) is called a bride, who is the lower female, namely, Malchut. Some say both refer to the lower female, Malchut; this is not the case. The first Hei of Yud Hei Vav Hei is not called a bride but beloved, as Aba and Ima are called beloved; and the last Hei is called a bride at certain time. There are many times when the male, Zeir Anpin, does not unite with her but leaves her. Of that time, it is written “Also you shall not approach to a woman in the impurity of her menstrual flow” (Vayikra 18:19). When the female is purified and the male wishes to unite with her, she is called a bride; she comes verily like a bride. That is, Malchut is rebuilt anew with ten Sfirot for every union and is considered a bride. The union of Aba and Ima, however, is continuous and never ceases as shall be explained.

When they return, the Indwelling Presence of HaShem-יהו״ה will be with them, as it states,¹²⁵Deuteronomy 30:3 ‘Then HaShem-יהו״ה your God will return with your captivity and have mercy upon you, and He will gather you in from all the peoples to which HaShem-יהו״ה your God, has scattered you.’” As our sages, of blessed memory, stated,¹²⁶Talmud Bavli, Megillah 29a “The verse does not state ‘He will bring back-v’Heishiv-והשיב’ but states, ‘He will return-v’Shav-ושב.’ This teaches us that the Holy One, blessed is He, will return with them from the exiles.” Similarly, the verse states,¹²⁷Song of Songs 4:8 “From Lebanon, come with Me, My bride.”