“To
My joyous one (lit. mare) in chariots of Pharaoh, I have compared
you, My beloved.” (1:9)
Mare,
a female horse, represents a particular sensual trend as a driving
passionate (bodily urgency to express and emotion), fully
vibrant and moving force, motivated by love's ways and
attributes.
In
this context God's love calls Israel's love as a feminine ruling
principle for the material world. Thus we understand God addressing
Israel as His feminine companion whose loving expression in human
consciousness corresponds to the material manifestation of God's
love.
This
is the ruling principle in God's material creation,
known in Jewish mysticism as malchut (kinship), the
reigning and sovereign divine rule. Hence Israel's love is
God's love manifest in the world.
This mare as
the vital driving force charged with fertile, life creating energy,
pulls Pharaoh's chariot. The latter represents ego's choice of
direction or purpose in life.
This
verse makes us aware of the creative and constructive power of love
God infused in Israel to become the chosen people to make the world
ruled by the goodness of love's ways and attributes.
Rashi
says that the expression “I have compared (you)”
actually means “I have demonstrated”, in reference to
confirming Israel as God's beloved and the chosen to
fully reveal His love in the material world.
“Beautiful have
been your cheeks with garlands, your neck with chains. Garlands of
gold we do make for you, with studs of silver!” (1:10-11)
The
face is the most identifying image of the human body, for it
reflects one's identity. Israel's countenance is adorned with
jewels as admirable traits and means to convey God's ways and
attributes, and fulfill her mission in the world.
God
bestowed in Israel additional qualities that enhance and highlight
her character and expression. The neck holds the head, and God also
blesses Israel by beautifying the foundation (neck) and
principles (chains) that support her spiritual and material
identity.
These
verses also refer to the Temple of Jerusalem as an essential part of
Israel's identity, for it represents her permanent bond and
connection with the Creator.
The
second verse in first person plural speaks about Israel's future
after God's promised final redemption for her. All
the expressions of goodness He has stored for the Messianic
era speak to Israel as the inheritor of such goodness. God speaks in
plural, for He is the source of goodness, and He joins His
blessings to grant them to Israel.
“While
the King [is] reclined [by His table], my nard has given its
fragrance.” (1:12)
After
God beautifies and recognizes Israel as a truthful servant and
messenger of His glory and will, she responds by elevating to Him in
sacred offering the fruits of the goodness He has bestowed on her.
Israel's offerings in the Temple of Jerusalem are full of the same
goodness God commanded her to manifest in the world.
Israel
gives testimony of her service for humankind before the Creator
“reclined” by the ark of the covenant in the inner chamber of the
Temple. There He “smells” the fragrance of her nard, that was
considered one of the ingredients for the incense at the Temple. The
burnt nard's petals represent the emotional and passionate intensity
of Israel's love for God.
In
the offerings Israel elevates to God in the Temple, there are several
expressions of her love for Him. These include the ones to express
regret for sins and transgressions, and the ones to express
thanksgiving and peace as encompassing qualities to celebrate
Israel's bond with God.
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