אֲנִ֥י יְשֵׁנָ֖ה וְלִבִּ֣י עֵ֑ר ק֣וֹל ׀ דּוֹדִ֣י דוֹפֵ֗ק פִּתְחִי־לִ֞י אֲחֹתִ֤י רַעְיָתִי֙ יוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י שֶׁרֹּאשִׁי֙ נִמְלָא־טָ֔ל קְוֻּצּוֹתַ֖י רְסִ֥יסֵי לָֽיְלָה׃
Aku tertidur, tetapi hatiku terjaga. Dengarlah, kekasihku mengetuk: “Bukakanlah bagiku, saudariku, kasihku, merpatiku, yang tak bercela, sebab kepalaku penuh embun, ikal rambutku basah oleh rintik-rintik malam.”
Pesikta DeRav Kahana
"Go forth and gaze, daughters of Zion (tziyyon)" (Songs 3:11) -- children who are distinguished (m'tzuyanim) for Me [as opposed to the children of idolators] through circumcision, through haircutting, and through tzitzit. "... upon King Solomon (Shlomo)" (ibid.) -- upon the King to whom the peace (shalom) belongs (i.e., God Himself). Another interpretation: "Upon King Solomon" -- the King who brought peace between (hish'lim) His works with His creatures. He made peace between fire and Abraham our Father (i.e., when Nimrod threw Abraham into a furnace), he made peace between the sword and Isaac our Father (i.e., when intervening to prevent Isaac's sacrifice), [and] he made peace between an angel and Jacob our Father (Gen 32:25-31). Another interpretation: "Upon King Solomon" -- the King who makes peace with His creatures. Said Rabbi Yochanan, "The dominion and the dread [are with Him]" (Job 25:2).*The continuation of the verse, "He makes peace in His heights" (עשה שלום במרומיו) is incorporated into the daily Kaddish prayer. What follows is a description of the peace that God makes in His heights, which the Kaddish requests be brought down to Earth as well. Said Rabbi Ya'akov of K'far Chanan, "the dominion" -- that is Michael; "and the dread" -- that is Gabriel; "... are with Him" -- and they are made peaceful (mash'limim) with Him, and one does not bring harm upon the other. And Rabbi Yochanan said, in all its days, the sun has never sustained damage by the moon, nor has one zodiacal constellation preceded its fellow (i.e., out of order), nor has a zodiacal constellation ever seen what precedes it. The firmament is made of water, and the angel is made of fire, yet they reside with one another, and one does not bring harm upon the other. Said Rabbi Avin, it is not only that [He brings peace] between angel and angel, but even [within a single] angel itself -- half of it is fire and half of it is water, and He makes peace between them. And [each angel] has five aspects -- "and his body was like beryl, etc." (Dan. 10:6). And it is written, "And there was hail, and fire" (Ex. 9:24). Rabbi Yehuda said, bowls of hail filled with fire. Rabbi Nechemiah said, fire and hail intermingled with one another. Said Rabbi Chanin, the explanation of Rabbi Yuda (Yehuda) is that it is like the seed of a split pomegranate that can be seen from the outside (see Bamidbar Rabbah 12:8 (Sefaria tr.)) The explanation of Rabbi Nechemiah is that it is like is that it is like this lantern of a lamp (candila), in which water and oil are mixed as one, and it is kindled above them (ibid.).
"And there was hail, and fire igniting itself (mitlakachat) [within the hail]" (Ex. 9:24). What is the meaning of "mitlakachat"? Said Rabbi Yuda bar Simon, it perishes (mita) [and] regroups (mit'kariya) to perform its mission. Said Rabbi Acha, [this can be likened] to a king who had two strong legions (ligionot) that hated one another, but as soon as the king's war came upon them, they made peace between themselves. So too fire and hail hate one another but as soon as the war of the Holy One Blessed be He came upon Egypt, "there was hail, and fire igniting itself [within the hail]," a miracle within a miracle.
"With the crown with which his mother adorned him on the day of his wedding" (Songs 3:11). Said Rabbi Yitzchak, we reviewed all of Scripture, and we were unable to find anywhere [where it said that] Bathsheba fashioned a crown for her son Solomon; rather, this [refers to] the Tent of Meeting, which is crowned with blue, and purple, and worm-scarlet. Said Rabbi Chunya, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai asked Rabbi Elazar b'Rabbi Yosei: "Might you have heard from your father what the meaning is of 'the crown with which his mother adorned him?" He said to him, "Yes." He said to him, "What is it?" He said to him, "It [refers to] a king who had an only daughter and he loved her excessively. He did not move from his love until he called her, 'My sister.' [After that] he did not move from his love until he called her, 'My mother.' Thus at the beginning of the Holy One Blessed be He's love for [the Children of] Israel, He called them 'My daughter' -- 'Listen, daughter, and see' (Ps. 45:11). He did not move from His love until He called them 'My sister,' as it is said, 'My sister, My darling' (Songs 5:2). [After that] He did not move from His love until he called them 'My mother,' as it is said, 'Listen to Me, My people, and to My nation (u'l'umi), etc.' (Is. 51:4). [Although read as u'l'umi,] it is written as 'u'l'ami' ('and to My mother')."*Note that although Masoretic orthography has ולאומי, it appears that the orthography that Rabbi Yosei had before him was ולאמי, which lends itself to the midrashic reading of "and to My mother." Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai stood up and kissed him on the head, and said, "Even if I came only to hear this one thing from you, it would have sufficed for me."
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin, in the name of Rabbi Levi, said, at the time that the Holy One Blessed be He said to Moses, "Make for me a dwelling place (mishkan, usually rendered as 'Tabernacle')," he had to bring four poles and stretch out the Tabernacle upon them. Rather, it teaches us that the Holy One Blessed be He showed Moses up on High red fire, green fire, black fire, [and] white fire, and [then] said to him, "Fashion for me a dwelling place." Moses said to the Holy One Blessed be He, "Master of the Universe! And from where can I find red fire, green fire, black fire, [and] white fire?" He said to him, "[Build it] based on the building-pattern which you are shown on the mountain"*i.e., Moses was to build the Tabernacle with materials that simulated the colors of the heavenly fires, but not with the fires themselves (see Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:11) (Ex. 25:40). Rabbi Berachya in the name of Rabbi Levi: [This can be likened] to a king who presented himself to a member of his household in a garment completely covered with jewels. He said to him, "Fashion for me the like." He said to him, "My lord king, and from where can I find [the means] to fashion a garment completely covered with jewels?" He said to him, "You with your dyes, and I with my glory." Thus said the Holy One Blessed be He to Moses: "If you fashion for Me below that which I have up above, I will depart from my Heavenly Council and descend and contract (m'tzamtzem, i.e., reduce the infinite size of) my Shekhinah [in order to dwell] among you below." Just as above, [there are] "Seraphs standing in attendance" (Is. 6:2), so too below [there are] "[beams of] acacia wood standing in attendance" (Ex. 26:15). Just as above [there are] stars, so too below [there are] hooks. Said Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba, it teaches that the golden hooks in the Tabernacle resembled the stars that are affixed in the firmament.
"On the day of his wedding (chatunato)" (Songs 3:11) -- that was the wedding ceremony (chitonim, i.e., between God and Israel on Mount Sinai). "And the day of his heart's joy" (ibid.) -- that is the Tent of Meeting. Another interpretation: "On the day of his wedding" -- that is the Tent of Meeting; "And on the day of his heart's joy" -- that is the building of the Eternal House. Therefore it is said, "And it was on the day that Moses completed, etc."
"And there was hail, and fire igniting itself (mitlakachat) [within the hail]" (Ex. 9:24). What is the meaning of "mitlakachat"? Said Rabbi Yuda bar Simon, it perishes (mita) [and] regroups (mit'kariya) to perform its mission. Said Rabbi Acha, [this can be likened] to a king who had two strong legions (ligionot) that hated one another, but as soon as the king's war came upon them, they made peace between themselves. So too fire and hail hate one another but as soon as the war of the Holy One Blessed be He came upon Egypt, "there was hail, and fire igniting itself [within the hail]," a miracle within a miracle.
"With the crown with which his mother adorned him on the day of his wedding" (Songs 3:11). Said Rabbi Yitzchak, we reviewed all of Scripture, and we were unable to find anywhere [where it said that] Bathsheba fashioned a crown for her son Solomon; rather, this [refers to] the Tent of Meeting, which is crowned with blue, and purple, and worm-scarlet. Said Rabbi Chunya, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai asked Rabbi Elazar b'Rabbi Yosei: "Might you have heard from your father what the meaning is of 'the crown with which his mother adorned him?" He said to him, "Yes." He said to him, "What is it?" He said to him, "It [refers to] a king who had an only daughter and he loved her excessively. He did not move from his love until he called her, 'My sister.' [After that] he did not move from his love until he called her, 'My mother.' Thus at the beginning of the Holy One Blessed be He's love for [the Children of] Israel, He called them 'My daughter' -- 'Listen, daughter, and see' (Ps. 45:11). He did not move from His love until He called them 'My sister,' as it is said, 'My sister, My darling' (Songs 5:2). [After that] He did not move from His love until he called them 'My mother,' as it is said, 'Listen to Me, My people, and to My nation (u'l'umi), etc.' (Is. 51:4). [Although read as u'l'umi,] it is written as 'u'l'ami' ('and to My mother')."*Note that although Masoretic orthography has ולאומי, it appears that the orthography that Rabbi Yosei had before him was ולאמי, which lends itself to the midrashic reading of "and to My mother." Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai stood up and kissed him on the head, and said, "Even if I came only to hear this one thing from you, it would have sufficed for me."
Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin, in the name of Rabbi Levi, said, at the time that the Holy One Blessed be He said to Moses, "Make for me a dwelling place (mishkan, usually rendered as 'Tabernacle')," he had to bring four poles and stretch out the Tabernacle upon them. Rather, it teaches us that the Holy One Blessed be He showed Moses up on High red fire, green fire, black fire, [and] white fire, and [then] said to him, "Fashion for me a dwelling place." Moses said to the Holy One Blessed be He, "Master of the Universe! And from where can I find red fire, green fire, black fire, [and] white fire?" He said to him, "[Build it] based on the building-pattern which you are shown on the mountain"*i.e., Moses was to build the Tabernacle with materials that simulated the colors of the heavenly fires, but not with the fires themselves (see Shir HaShirim Rabbah 3:11) (Ex. 25:40). Rabbi Berachya in the name of Rabbi Levi: [This can be likened] to a king who presented himself to a member of his household in a garment completely covered with jewels. He said to him, "Fashion for me the like." He said to him, "My lord king, and from where can I find [the means] to fashion a garment completely covered with jewels?" He said to him, "You with your dyes, and I with my glory." Thus said the Holy One Blessed be He to Moses: "If you fashion for Me below that which I have up above, I will depart from my Heavenly Council and descend and contract (m'tzamtzem, i.e., reduce the infinite size of) my Shekhinah [in order to dwell] among you below." Just as above, [there are] "Seraphs standing in attendance" (Is. 6:2), so too below [there are] "[beams of] acacia wood standing in attendance" (Ex. 26:15). Just as above [there are] stars, so too below [there are] hooks. Said Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba, it teaches that the golden hooks in the Tabernacle resembled the stars that are affixed in the firmament.
"On the day of his wedding (chatunato)" (Songs 3:11) -- that was the wedding ceremony (chitonim, i.e., between God and Israel on Mount Sinai). "And the day of his heart's joy" (ibid.) -- that is the Tent of Meeting. Another interpretation: "On the day of his wedding" -- that is the Tent of Meeting; "And on the day of his heart's joy" -- that is the building of the Eternal House. Therefore it is said, "And it was on the day that Moses completed, etc."
Shir HaShirim Rabbah
“I am asleep, but my heart is awake; it is the sound of my beloved knocking: Open for me, my sister, my love, my faultless dove, for my head is filled with dew, my locks, drops of night” (Song of Songs 5:2).
“I am asleep” – the congregation of Israel said before the Holy One blessed be He: Master of the universe, “I am asleep” regarding the mitzvot, “but my heart is awake” for acts of kindness. “I am asleep” regarding acts of charity, “but my heart is awake” to perform them.12Although I am unable to perform these acts, I have a desire to perform them. “I am asleep” regarding the offerings, “but my heart is awake” for reciting Shema and Amida. “I am asleep” regarding the Temple, “but my heart is awake,” in synagogues and study halls. “I am asleep” regarding the end [of days], “but my heart is awake” for the redemption.13This is based on the idea that there is a set time for redemption, by when redemption will occur through natural means, but there is also the possibility that God will bring redemption early through supernatural means. Thus, Israel says: I do not know when the latest time for redemption is, or I am not hopeful that I will experience it because it remains far off, but I am hopeful that God will redeem me early (Rabbi David Luria). “I am asleep” regarding the redemption, but the heart of the Holy One blessed be He is awake to redeem me.14Although I am not deserving of redemption, God will find reason to redeem me (Yefe Kol). Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Where have we found that the Holy One blessed be He is called the heart of Israel? It is from this verse, as it is written: “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).
“I am asleep” – the congregation of Israel said before the Holy One blessed be He: Master of the universe, “I am asleep” regarding the mitzvot, “but my heart is awake” for acts of kindness. “I am asleep” regarding acts of charity, “but my heart is awake” to perform them.12Although I am unable to perform these acts, I have a desire to perform them. “I am asleep” regarding the offerings, “but my heart is awake” for reciting Shema and Amida. “I am asleep” regarding the Temple, “but my heart is awake,” in synagogues and study halls. “I am asleep” regarding the end [of days], “but my heart is awake” for the redemption.13This is based on the idea that there is a set time for redemption, by when redemption will occur through natural means, but there is also the possibility that God will bring redemption early through supernatural means. Thus, Israel says: I do not know when the latest time for redemption is, or I am not hopeful that I will experience it because it remains far off, but I am hopeful that God will redeem me early (Rabbi David Luria). “I am asleep” regarding the redemption, but the heart of the Holy One blessed be He is awake to redeem me.14Although I am not deserving of redemption, God will find reason to redeem me (Yefe Kol). Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: Where have we found that the Holy One blessed be He is called the heart of Israel? It is from this verse, as it is written: “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).
Shir HaShirim Rabbah
“It is the sound of my beloved knocking” – by means of Moses when he said: “Moses said: So said the Lord: At about midnight, I will emerge in the midst of Egypt” (Exodus 11:4). “Open for me” – Rabbi Yasa said: The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: My children, open for Me one opening of repentance like the eye of the needle, and I will open for you openings that wagons and carriages enter through it.
Rabbi Tanḥuma, Rabbi Ḥunya, and Rabbi Abbahu [said] in the name of Reish Lakish: It is written: “Desist, and know that I am God…” (Psalms 46:11) – the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: Desist from your evil actions and know that I am God. Rabbi Levi said: Were Israel to repent even one day, they would be redeemed immediately and the son of David would come immediately. What is the reason? “For He is our God, and we are the people of His flock and the sheep under His hand; today, if you heed His voice” (Psalms 95:7). Rabbi Yudan and Rabbi Levi say: The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: Desist from your wicked actions and repent in the blink of an eye, “and know that I am God.”15Earnest repentance, even for a very short time, will lead to redemption, which will itself cause widespread recognition of God.
“My sister [aḥoti]” – as they were stitched [nitaḥu] to Me in Egypt with the blood of the paschal offering and the blood of circumcision. That is what is written: “I passed you and saw you wallowing in your blood, and I said to you, in your blood you shall live” (Ezekiel 16:6) – this is the blood of the paschal offering. “I said to you, in your blood you shall live” – this is the blood of circumcision (Ezekiel 16:6).
“My love [rayati]” – as they fell in love [sheriu] with Me at the sea and said: “This is my God and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2), “the Lord will reign for ever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). “My dove” – at Mara, as from there they were commanded and became distinctive through all the mitzvot, acts of charity, and good deeds, like the dove that is distinctive.16A dove recognizes its mate, distinguishing it from among the other doves. That is what is written: “There He instituted for it statutes and ordinances” (Exodus 15:25). “My faultless [tamati]” – My wholehearted ones [tamuti], as they were wholehearted with Me at Sinai, and said: “Everything that the Lord said, we will perform and we will heed” (Exodus 24:7).
Rabbi Yannai said: My twin [teomati], as it were; I am not greater than it and it is not greater that I am.17God is as assiduous regarding the honor of the righteous of Israel as He is of His own honor. Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin [said] in the name of Rabbi Levi: My twin [teomati], just as with twins, if one has a headache his counterpart feels it. So too, as it were, the Holy One blessed be He says: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
“For my head is filled with dew” – on the basis of: “The earth quaked, the heavens dripped” (Psalms 68:9). “My locks, drops of night” – on the basis of what is stated: “The clouds dripped water” (Judges 5:4).
Rabbi Tanḥuma, Rabbi Ḥunya, and Rabbi Abbahu [said] in the name of Reish Lakish: It is written: “Desist, and know that I am God…” (Psalms 46:11) – the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: Desist from your evil actions and know that I am God. Rabbi Levi said: Were Israel to repent even one day, they would be redeemed immediately and the son of David would come immediately. What is the reason? “For He is our God, and we are the people of His flock and the sheep under His hand; today, if you heed His voice” (Psalms 95:7). Rabbi Yudan and Rabbi Levi say: The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: Desist from your wicked actions and repent in the blink of an eye, “and know that I am God.”15Earnest repentance, even for a very short time, will lead to redemption, which will itself cause widespread recognition of God.
“My sister [aḥoti]” – as they were stitched [nitaḥu] to Me in Egypt with the blood of the paschal offering and the blood of circumcision. That is what is written: “I passed you and saw you wallowing in your blood, and I said to you, in your blood you shall live” (Ezekiel 16:6) – this is the blood of the paschal offering. “I said to you, in your blood you shall live” – this is the blood of circumcision (Ezekiel 16:6).
“My love [rayati]” – as they fell in love [sheriu] with Me at the sea and said: “This is my God and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2), “the Lord will reign for ever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). “My dove” – at Mara, as from there they were commanded and became distinctive through all the mitzvot, acts of charity, and good deeds, like the dove that is distinctive.16A dove recognizes its mate, distinguishing it from among the other doves. That is what is written: “There He instituted for it statutes and ordinances” (Exodus 15:25). “My faultless [tamati]” – My wholehearted ones [tamuti], as they were wholehearted with Me at Sinai, and said: “Everything that the Lord said, we will perform and we will heed” (Exodus 24:7).
Rabbi Yannai said: My twin [teomati], as it were; I am not greater than it and it is not greater that I am.17God is as assiduous regarding the honor of the righteous of Israel as He is of His own honor. Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin [said] in the name of Rabbi Levi: My twin [teomati], just as with twins, if one has a headache his counterpart feels it. So too, as it were, the Holy One blessed be He says: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
“For my head is filled with dew” – on the basis of: “The earth quaked, the heavens dripped” (Psalms 68:9). “My locks, drops of night” – on the basis of what is stated: “The clouds dripped water” (Judges 5:4).