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Shir ha-Shirim XII: Part One: At the Sea: Sefirah 6



“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth.” Where was this said? Rabbi Chinena bar Pappa said: It was said at the Red Sea, as it is written, “To a steed in Pharaoh’s chariots (Song of Songs 1:90).” Rabbi Yudah bar Rabbi Simon said: It was said at Sinai, as it says, “The Song of Songs – Shirim,” that is, the song which was uttered by the chanting singers – Sharim, as it says, “The singers – Sharim – go before, the minstrels follow after (Psalms 68:26).” (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1.2:1, part one)

 

Rabbi Chinena sees the splitting of the sea as the moment of deepest intimacy, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth,” when we used our mouths to “kiss” back, and to sing to God. It was our response to the intimacy that nurtured the relationship, and led to the Revelation at Sinai.

In order to achieve the Highest intimacy, that of Sinai, we must begin by responding to God’s involvement in our lives with Torah studied as part of an intimate relationship with God. Once we respond to God’s expressions of intimacy with Torah as a song of intimacy, we will merit Revelation on Shavuot.

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