Turn back, turn back [you] perfect one, turn back, turn back, that we may observe you;93According to Rashi the nations call to Israel [who is perfect in her faith] enticing her to turn away from Him and join them. what can you see [offer] the perfect one that equals the encirclement of the camps?94Israel responds, saying to them, what honor can you offer me that compares to the glory of the banners of the encircling desert camps [as I left Egypt.]—Rashi
How fair were your feet in sandals, O daughter of nobles;95How fair were your feet when you went up to Jerusalem on your pilgrimages to the Temple to celebrate Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos.—Rashi the roundness of your flanks, are like jewels, the work of a craftsman.96According to the Targum, this is said in reference to their children, products of their loins who are beautiful as the brilliant jewels of the Breastplate which was made for Aharon by Bezalel, the master craftsman.
Your navel is like a round bowl,97This is a reference to the לִשְׁכַּת הַגָזִית , the Chamber of Hewn Stone, the seat of the Sanhedrin which was situated בְּטַבּוּר הָאָרֶץ at the navel [i.e. the center] of the world, and the members of the Sanhedrin were seated in a semi-circle, like the crescent moon.— Rashi which lacks not for mixed wines;98Just as the bowl will not lack for drink so too the Sanhedrin will be a never-ending source of wisdom. [Wine is often used in an allegorical manner to describe the wisdom of Torah].—Rashi your stomach is like a heap of wheat,99Wheat is the staple of life and just as everyone benefits from wheat so do all benefit from the wise decisions of the Sanhedrin.—Mesechet Sanhedrin 37a hedged about with roses.100A hedge of roses is hardly an imposing barrier and so too the lightest barrier is sufficient to keep the nation of Israel from sin. This refers to the words of Torah that are as delicate as roses and yet suffice to deter us from sin.—Rashi
Your two breasts are like two fawns,101This refers to the two tablets of the Ten Commandments; it might also refer to the king and the Kohein Gadol.—Rashi twins of a gazelle.
Your neck is like an ivory tower;102The Sanctuary and the Altar which were erect and tall, as well as the seat of the Sanhedrin, provided Israel with strength and protection like an ivory tower.—Rashi your eyes are like pools in Heshbon, at the gate of the populated city, your face is like a tower of Lebanon looking out as far as Damascus.103This is an allusion to the prophecy that in the future the gates of Jerusalem will expand until Damascus.—Rashi
That which is upon your head is like Mount Carmel,104 104 A reference to the תְּפִלִין שֶׁל ראשׁ , the tefillin of the head, of which it is said: “And all the peoples of the earth will see that the Name of Adonoy is called upon you and they will fear you.” (Devarim 28:10) The tefillin are the strength of Israel and are as awe-inspiring as rocky mountains, of which Mount Carmel is the most prominent.— Rashi and the braid of your head is like [royal] purple wool; your King is bound in its tresses.105This refers to the braided locks of the Nazirite and alludes to the fact that God’s Name is associated with the hair of the Nazirite.—Rashi
Such is your stature, likened to a [stately] palm tree;107When all the nations succumbed to Nevuchadnezzar and kneeled to the statue, Israel stood upright as the palm tree. Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah were likened to the breasts of Israel for as breasts give nourishment to the suckling child, they provided spiritual nourishment, inspiring everyone with the knowledge that there is no God like the God of Israel.—Rashi and your bosom is like clusters.
I said, I will ascend the palm tree, I will grasp its branches;108God declares that He is elevated through Israel’s actions and loyalty through which His Name is sanctified among the nations of the world, and thus He declares that He will grasp and cleave to the [children of Israel] branches of this palm tree. and now, let your bosom remain like clusters of the vine,109See note 107. This refers to the righteous of each generation. and the fragrance of your face like apples.
And let your speech be like good wine;110Let your response to taunts of the nations be as clear and strong as the finest wine.—Rashi it flows for my beloved in sincerity, causing the lips of sleepers to murmur.111Israel’s response to them is “I am my Beloved’s [God’s]” (see next verse), is such an expression of intense love that even its ancestors [who are asleep] will rejoice and utter thanks for their lot.—Rashi
Let us rise early for the vineyards,112This is a reference to synagogues and houses of study [where Jews assemble at dawn.]—Rashi let us see if the vine has blossomed, if the tender grapes have appeared, if the pomegranates are in bloom;113According to Rashi the words “If the vine has blossomed” refers to those who are versed only in the Scripture, “If the tender grapes have appeared,” is an allusion to those who are versed in Mishnah, and “If the pomegranates are in blossom” refers to those who are versed in Talmud. Each stage suggests a higher degree of ripeness with the students of Talmud representing the level of maturity in Torah wisdom. there I will give my love to you.114There I will show you My glory and My greatness, the praiseworthiness of My sons and daughters.
שׁ֤וּבִי שׁ֨וּבִי֙ הַשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית שׁ֥וּבִי שׁ֖וּבִי וְנֶֽחֱזֶה־בָּ֑ךְ מַֽה־תֶּֽחֱזוּ֙ בַּשּׁ֣וּלַמִּ֔ית כִּמְחֹלַ֖ת הַֽמַּֽחֲנָֽיִם:
Turn back, turn back [you] perfect one, turn back, turn back, that we may observe you;93According to Rashi the nations call to Israel [who is perfect in her faith] enticing her to turn away from Him and join them. what can you see [offer] the perfect one that equals the encirclement of the camps?94Israel responds, saying to them, what honor can you offer me that compares to the glory of the banners of the encircling desert camps [as I left Egypt.]—Rashi
מַה־יָּפ֧וּ פְעָמַ֛יִךְ בַּנְּעָלִ֖ים בַּת־נָדִ֑יב חַמּוּקֵ֣י יְרֵכַ֔יִךְ כְּמ֣וֹ חֲלָאִ֔ים מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֥י אָמָּֽן:
How fair were your feet in sandals, O daughter of nobles;95How fair were your feet when you went up to Jerusalem on your pilgrimages to the Temple to celebrate Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos.—Rashi the roundness of your flanks, are like jewels, the work of a craftsman.96According to the Targum, this is said in reference to their children, products of their loins who are beautiful as the brilliant jewels of the Breastplate which was made for Aharon by Bezalel, the master craftsman.
שָׁרְרֵךְ֙ אַגַּ֣ן הַסַּ֔הַר אַל־יֶחְסַ֖ר הַמָּ֑זֶג בִּטְנֵךְ֙ עֲרֵמַ֣ת חִטִּ֔ים סוּגָ֖ה בַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנִּֽים:
Your navel is like a round bowl,97This is a reference to the לִשְׁכַּת הַגָזִית , the Chamber of Hewn Stone, the seat of the Sanhedrin which was situated בְּטַבּוּר הָאָרֶץ at the navel [i.e. the center] of the world, and the members of the Sanhedrin were seated in a semi-circle, like the crescent moon.— Rashi which lacks not for mixed wines;98Just as the bowl will not lack for drink so too the Sanhedrin will be a never-ending source of wisdom. [Wine is often used in an allegorical manner to describe the wisdom of Torah].—Rashi your stomach is like a heap of wheat,99Wheat is the staple of life and just as everyone benefits from wheat so do all benefit from the wise decisions of the Sanhedrin.—Mesechet Sanhedrin 37a hedged about with roses.100A hedge of roses is hardly an imposing barrier and so too the lightest barrier is sufficient to keep the nation of Israel from sin. This refers to the words of Torah that are as delicate as roses and yet suffice to deter us from sin.—Rashi
שְׁנֵ֥י שָׁדַ֛יִךְ כִּשְׁנֵ֥י עֳפָרִ֖ים תָּֽאֳמֵ֥י צְבִיָּֽה:
Your two breasts are like two fawns,101This refers to the two tablets of the Ten Commandments; it might also refer to the king and the Kohein Gadol.—Rashi twins of a gazelle.
צַוָּארֵ֖ךְ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַשֵּׁ֑ן עֵינַ֜יִךְ בְּרֵכ֣וֹת בְּחֶשְׁבּ֗וֹן עַל־שַׁ֨עַר֙ בַּת־רַבִּ֔ים אַפֵּךְ֙ כְּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן צוֹפֶ֖ה פְּנֵ֥י דַמָּֽשֶׂק:
Your neck is like an ivory tower;102The Sanctuary and the Altar which were erect and tall, as well as the seat of the Sanhedrin, provided Israel with strength and protection like an ivory tower.—Rashi your eyes are like pools in Heshbon, at the gate of the populated city, your face is like a tower of Lebanon looking out as far as Damascus.103This is an allusion to the prophecy that in the future the gates of Jerusalem will expand until Damascus.—Rashi
רֹאשֵׁ֤ךְ עָלַ֨יִךְ֙ כַּכַּרְמֶ֔ל וְדַלַּ֥ת רֹאשֵׁ֖ךְ כָּֽאַרְגָּמָ֑ן מֶ֖לֶךְ אָס֥וּר בָּֽרְהָטִֽים:
That which is upon your head is like Mount Carmel,104 104 A reference to the תְּפִלִין שֶׁל ראשׁ , the tefillin of the head, of which it is said: “And all the peoples of the earth will see that the Name of Adonoy is called upon you and they will fear you.” (Devarim 28:10) The tefillin are the strength of Israel and are as awe-inspiring as rocky mountains, of which Mount Carmel is the most prominent.— Rashi and the braid of your head is like [royal] purple wool; your King is bound in its tresses.105This refers to the braided locks of the Nazirite and alludes to the fact that God’s Name is associated with the hair of the Nazirite.—Rashi
מַה־יָּפִית֙ וּמַה־נָּעַ֔מְתְּ אַֽהֲבָ֖ה בַּתַּֽעֲנוּגִֽים:
How beautiful and pleasant are you; a love with delights.106A spiritual love that is befitting to delight in.—Rashi
זֹ֤את קֽוֹמָתֵךְ֙ דָּֽמְתָ֣ה לְתָמָ֔ר וְשָׁדַ֖יִךְ לְאַשְׁכֹּלֽוֹת:
Such is your stature, likened to a [stately] palm tree;107When all the nations succumbed to Nevuchadnezzar and kneeled to the statue, Israel stood upright as the palm tree. Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah were likened to the breasts of Israel for as breasts give nourishment to the suckling child, they provided spiritual nourishment, inspiring everyone with the knowledge that there is no God like the God of Israel.—Rashi and your bosom is like clusters.
אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה בְתָמָ֔ר אֹֽחֲזָ֖ה בְּסַנְסִנָּ֑יו וְיִֽהְיוּ־נָ֤א שָׁדַ֙יִךְ֙ כְּאֶשְׁכְּל֣וֹת הַגֶּ֔פֶן וְרֵ֥יחַ אַפֵּ֖ךְ כַּתַּפּוּחִֽים:
I said, I will ascend the palm tree, I will grasp its branches;108God declares that He is elevated through Israel’s actions and loyalty through which His Name is sanctified among the nations of the world, and thus He declares that He will grasp and cleave to the [children of Israel] branches of this palm tree. and now, let your bosom remain like clusters of the vine,109See note 107. This refers to the righteous of each generation. and the fragrance of your face like apples.
וְחִכֵּ֕ךְ כְּיֵ֥ין הַטּ֛וֹב הוֹלֵ֥ךְ לְדוֹדִ֖י לְמֵֽישָׁרִ֑ים דּוֹבֵ֖ב שִׂפְתֵ֥י יְשֵׁנִֽים:
And let your speech be like good wine;110Let your response to taunts of the nations be as clear and strong as the finest wine.—Rashi it flows for my beloved in sincerity, causing the lips of sleepers to murmur.111Israel’s response to them is “I am my Beloved’s [God’s]” (see next verse), is such an expression of intense love that even its ancestors [who are asleep] will rejoice and utter thanks for their lot.—Rashi
אֲנִ֣י לְדוֹדִ֔י וְעָלַ֖י תְּשֽׁוּקָתֽוֹ:
I am my beloved's and he longs for me.
לְכָ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ נֵצֵ֣א הַשָדֶ֔ה נָלִ֖ינָה בַּכְּפָרִֽים:
Come, my beloved, let us go out to the field, let us lodge in the villages.
נַשְׁכִּ֨ימָה֙ לַכְּרָמִ֔ים נִרְאֶ֞ה אִם־פָּֽרְחָ֤ה הַגֶּ֨פֶן֨ פִּתַּ֣ח הַסְּמָדַ֔ר הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָֽרִמּוֹנִ֑ים שָׁ֛ם אֶתֵּ֥ן אֶת־דֹּדַ֖י לָֽךְ:
Let us rise early for the vineyards,112This is a reference to synagogues and houses of study [where Jews assemble at dawn.]—Rashi let us see if the vine has blossomed, if the tender grapes have appeared, if the pomegranates are in bloom;113According to Rashi the words “If the vine has blossomed” refers to those who are versed only in the Scripture, “If the tender grapes have appeared,” is an allusion to those who are versed in Mishnah, and “If the pomegranates are in blossom” refers to those who are versed in Talmud. Each stage suggests a higher degree of ripeness with the students of Talmud representing the level of maturity in Torah wisdom. there I will give my love to you.114There I will show you My glory and My greatness, the praiseworthiness of My sons and daughters.
הַדּֽוּדָאִ֣ים נָֽתְנוּ־רֵ֗יחַ וְעַל־פְּתָחֵ֨ינוּ֙ כָּל־מְגָדִ֔ים חֲדָשִׁ֖ים גַּם־יְשָׁנִ֑ים דּוֹדִ֖י צָפַ֥נְתִּי לָֽךְ:
The baskets emit fragrance, and at our door are all luscious fruits, both new and old; my beloved, I have kept them for you.