Quotation sur Le Cantique des Cantiques 1:2

(Fol. 35) "Calls his attention to another thing." What is the meaning of the passage (Son. 1, 2) For thy love is better than wine? When R. Dimi came he explained thus: The Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, praised be He! 'Sovereign of the Universe, sweet are to me the words of Thy friends (the sages) even more than the essence of the Torah.' " But what was the reason that R. Ismael called his attention to this passage? Said R. Simon b. Pazi, and according to others, R. Simon b. Ami: "He called his attention to the beginning of this chapter, Let him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth." "My brother," said R. Ismael to Dama, "this means, Compress your lips, one upon the other, and hasten not to propound questions." But why not give its reason? Said Ula, and according to others, R. Samuel b. Abba: "This was a new decree, to which the reason could not be given at that time." And why? This is as Ula said elsewhere. When a new decree was promulgated in the West, they did not give the reason until twelve months had elapsed, for fear there might be one who would not care for such a reason, and would not accept the decree.