Commentaire sur Le Cantique des Cantiques 1:8: Rachi, Rambam, Ibn Ezra et plus

If you do not know. This is the shepherd’s reply, “If you do not know where you should go to pasture your sheep, you, O fairest of women, for the shepherd has ceased leading them³¹If you are uncertain about a matter of law, follow in the footsteps of your forefathers and follow their tradition. (Sforno) —

The Glory replies: If you do not know, O fairest of women the cause of my removal and the delay of the End and desire to return with your children to your cities and to your place, go follow the tracks of the sheep—direct your children with goodly instruction—in rectitude, fear of heaven, and propriety, so that they might hold fast to My service and faith and follow the practice of the patriarchs and shepherds rather than the nations’ laws, which are vain and deceitful. So Ezekiel expounds: “Cast away, every one of you, the detestable things that you are drawn to, and do not defile yourselves with the fetishes of Egypt. I am the Lord your God …” [20:7]. “Walk in My statutes …” [20:19]. Daniel promised that throughout this lengthy period of exile, Israel would observe Torah and hold fast to their faith, as it is written: “The enlightened will shine like the radiance of the firmament and those who lead the multitudes to righteousness will be like the stars forever” [Dan. 12:3].

Go forth in the footsteps of the sheep. Look at the footsteps, the way that the sheep went, and the footsteps are discernible;” traces in O.F. There are many similar instances [of עקב in Scripture, “and Your footsteps וְעִקְּבוֹתֶיךָ were not known,”³²Tehillim 77:20. [and] “your steps עֲקֵבָיִךְ were cut off,”³³Yirmiyahu 13:22. [and] “And it will return on its heel עָקֵב,”³⁴Bereishis 49:19. [meaning] that they will return in their tracks.³⁵Alternatively, one who seeks God [symbolized by the shepherd], should follow the footsteps of the flock until he reaches the “shepherd.” (Sefer Duda’im) You go on that path. And pasture your kids