Midrasch zu Bereschit 8:8

Another interpretation (of Cant. 1:15): WITH YOUR DOVELIKE EYES. R. Isaac said: The Holy One said to them: Your appearance (deigma)⁶The Greek word means “pattern”. There is a play on the word ‘ayin (“eye”) from Cant. 1:15, which can also mean “appearance”. resembles a dove.⁷Cf. Cant. R. 1:14:5. Whoever wants to buy wheat says to his comrade: Show me its appearance (deigma). Also in your case, your appearance (deigma) resembles a dove. How? When Noah was in the ark, what is written (in Gen. 8:8 & 11)? THEN HE SENT OUT THE DOVE…. AND [THE DOVE] CAME TO HIM TOWARD EVENING. The Holy One said to them: Just as the dove brought light to the world, you also, who were likened to the dove, brought olive oil and burned it before me, as stated (in Exod. 27:20): AND YOU SHALL COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO BRING UNTO YOU CLEAR OIL OF BEATEN OLIVES < FOR THE LIGHT….>

Thine eyes are as doves. R. Isaac stated: The Holy One, blessed be He, told them: Their (Israel’s) nature is like that of a dove. When one desires to purchase wheat from his companion, he says to him: “Describe its properties to me.” Their nature is like unto that of a dove (in another respect). How do we know this? It is written: When Noah was in the ark he sent forth a raven, and it went forth, and that is followed by the verse He sent a dove from him, and the dove came in unto him (Gen. 8:8, 11). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Just as the dove brought light to the world (by bringing Noah an olive leaf), so you, who are compared to a dove, must bring olive oil and kindle lamps before Me, as it is said: And thou shalt command that they bring unto thee.

And again [Noach] sent forth the dove out of the ark . . . And the dove came in at evening, and here, an olive leaf torn off in her mouth” [Gn 8:11]. “An olive leaf torn off in her mouth”—From where did she bring it? R’ Bibi said: The gates of Gan Eden were opened for her, and from there she brought it. Said R’ Abahu: Had she brought it from Gan Eden, couldn’t she bring something special, cinnamon or balsam? But she gave [Noach] a hint, and said to Noach: Better is bitterness from this and not sweetness from beneath your hand.