Shir HaShirim Opening: Divine Kisses and God's Good Name

Full Summary

This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of the opening verses of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), beginning with Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation that 'asher l'Shlomo' refers not to King Solomon but to God, 'the King whose peace is His.' The lecture explores the concept of 'Shir HaShirim' as the greatest of all songs, parallel to how 'Kodesh Kodashim' represents the holiest place. The main focus centers on understanding the verse 'yishakeini mineshikot pihu' (let Him kiss me with kisses of His mouth), with Rashi explaining different types of kisses - on the hand, shoulder, head, and mouth. The shiur presents an innovative interpretation of the difference between 'vayishak' (he kissed) and 'vayinashek' (he kissed and compelled a return kiss), analyzing this through the story of Yaakov kissing Rachel and Lavan's subsequent kiss of Yaakov. The lecture explains that mouth-to-mouth kissing represents the deepest spiritual connection, as it connects one soul to another through the divine breath that God breathed into man. This metaphor is applied to the giving of the Torah (תורה) at Mount Sinai, where God initially planned to speak only to Moshe directly but the Jewish people requested direct communication - 'mouth to mouth' contact. The shiur then examines 'ki tovim dodecha miyayin' (Your love is better than wine), explaining that wine symbolizes all celebration and joy in Jewish tradition, though Torah study emphasizes eating over drinking. The analysis continues with 'l'reiach shmanecha tovim' (the fragrance of Your good oils), interpreting this as a reference to God's good reputation that spread throughout the world due to His miraculous deeds in Egypt and the splitting of the Red Sea. Rashi's commentary on 'shemen turak shemecha' (poured oil is like Your name) explains that oil only releases its fragrance when poured out, symbolizing how God's reputation became known worldwide. The shiur concludes by examining how the nations came to love and fear God due to His revealed power, referencing Rachav's testimony about how all peoples heard of God's mighty acts forty years after the Exodus.