Shir ha-Shirim V: Part One: As If Done For Us

Another explanation: “Do you see a man diligent in his work,” this applies to Solomon son of David, who was diligent in the building of the Temple, as it is written, “He spent seven years building it (I Kings 6:38).”

Another verse says, “And Solomon spent 13 years building his own house (7:1),” which would indicate that the building of his own home was finer and more elaborate than that of the Temple! How can you describe him as, “a man diligent in his work?”

We have been taught that he took his time building his own home however he was diligent in building the Temple.

Huna said in the name of Rav Yosef: All assist the King; all the more then do all assist for the glory of the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed is He, even spirits, even demons, even ministering angels!

Yitzchak this son of Rav Yehuda bar Yechezkel said: It is written, “I have surely built for You a house of habitation (8:13),” as much to say, I have built that which was already built; I see it this way because of the assistance of the Angels.

Rabbi Berechiah said: It is not written, “the house which they were building,” but, “The house when it was being built (7:7),” indicating that we consider the Temple as if it was built by itself, as it says, “it was built of stone made ready at the quarry.” It does not say simply “built,” but “it was built,” showing that the stones carried themselves and placed themselves on the row.

Rav said: Do not be surprised that this! What do we find written in another place? “And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the Lions den (Daniel 6:18) to see.” Now, are there such large stones in Babylon? The fact is, however, that the stone flew just at that moment from Israel and came and placed itself at the mouth of the pit.

Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rav Yosef: An angel came down in the form of a stone lion and placed itself at the mouth of the pit; therefore it is written, “My Lord has sent His angel and has shut the lions’ mouths (Verse 23).” Do not, therefore, be surprised: if for the honor of that righteous man, Daniel, we find it written, “a certain stone was brought,” how much more so would it have been for the honor of the Holy One, Blessed is He!

This midrash is teaching us that one can achieve such a level of “diligent work” that he will experience the results appearing as if from Heaven. It is conceivable that a person can dedicate such diligent effort to accomplish his spiritual goals for the glory of God, that it will be as if his intentions will appear as reality.

This is why we are taught that one who simply sets his mind with total commitment to achieve perfection of his soul; they will shower him from Heaven with the influence of Perfection, as if he had already achieved it.

We can approach Pesach and Shavuot with such commitment to our goals and vision, that we will feel as if all the inhabitants of the Heavens are helping us achieve our efforts. It is only a question of a true commitment to achieve our goals.

Therefore we must ask ourselves: “We who have the freedom of choice; to what do we dedicate our efforts?”