Perek Shirah - Gan Eden Says

Saturday, February 13, 2016 · Posted in ,

גַן עֵדֶן אוֹמֵר - Gan Eden Says...

Shir HaShirim 4:16

עוּרִי צָפוֹן וּבוֹאִי תֵימָן הָפִיחִי גַנִּי יִזְּלוּ בְשָׂמָיו יָבֹא דוֹדִי לְגַנּוֹ וְיֹאכַל פְּרִי מְגָדָיו
uri tzafon uvoi teiman hafichi gani yizlu vesamav yavo dodi legano veyochal peri megadav
Awake from the north and come from the south!  
Blow upon My garden, let its spices flow.  
Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its precious fruit.

In Talmudic symbolism, the "north wind" represents the human desire for physical pleasure and gratification; the "south wind" represents the soul's longing for spiritual fulfillment.  Man's mission is to sublimate the succulence of the earth's gardens and elevate it to server the highest spiritual calling.  Adam and Chavah were given the Gan Eden, the perfect setting for this task.  They failed and were banished.  But the Garden remains in G-d's plan, and we will yet combine the two winds and enjoy the ultimate aroma and fruit of holiness. (Rabbi Nosson Scherman)

“Let those whose service is in the north (the non-Jews who can offer only an Olah whose slaughter took place only in the north part of the Sanctuary) be removed from their prominence in favor of those whose service is in the south (the Jewish nation who may also offer Shelamim which may be slaughtered
even in the southern part.)” 

This transfer of importance from the nations of the world to the Jewish nation, Rashi points out, refers to the welcoming of the Mashiach as redeemer.

What is the significance of this distinction between Olah and Shelamim?  The Olah represents a total offering of an earthly possession to Heaven, a universal concept which even those without Torah are capable of appreciating. Shelamim, however, comes from the word “Shalom” - peace - because its offering
effects peace between the altar, the Kohanim and the owner who all share in its parts. This sublime concept that even through his eating of sacrificial flesh a man participates in the service of his Creator is limited to the nation whose multitude of Torah commandments trains it to comprehend such a challenge and opportunity.
(Zevachim 116a)

Allegorical reading of Shir HaShirim 4:16 following Rashi:

"Awake from the north and come form the south!  Like the winds let My exiles return to My garden, let their fragrant goodness flow in Yerushalayim.  Let but my Beloved come to His garden and enjoy His precious people."

Allegorically, Yisrael's host nations will be so overwhelmed by the miracles preceding the Redemption that they will bring Jews to Eretz Yisrael. (Yeshayahu 66:20)

In the Temple, Jews will say to G-d..."Let but my Beloved come to His garden and enjoy His precious people."  If You are there, all is there.

Leave a Reply

....