Below is a collection of Megillat Shir HaShirim resources, created by The Lookstein Center staff or contributed to the site by Jewish educators.
This is a growing collection. Check back soon or write to us at content@lookstein.org if you didn’t find what you’re looking for.
Megillat Shir HaShirim Overview
Megillat Shir Hashirim is one of three texts in Ketuvim that is assumed to have been written by King Solomon as a song.
From a basic reading of the text, the megillah describes the pure love between two lovers, called the dod and the re’ayah. Their relationship is described as an evolution throughout the text, and their love is described through much symbolic imagery.
According to the midrash and subsequently Maimonides, the text of Shir HaShirim is an allegory for the love between God and the People of Israel. According to Rashi, each verse is an allegory for an event in Jewish history, with the entire megillah being symbolic of the story of Jewish history.
The megillah does not mention God’s name and is filled with significant scenes, symbols, and expressions of the love between the two individuals. There is also descriptive imagery that is used to depict the primary characters, often from the perspective of the love itself. Much of the imagery and descriptive language described in the text is based on descriptions of nature in Eretz Yisrael, and the plants and living creatures that live there.
Educational Points for Connection
- Shir HaShirim is read on the holiday of Pesach. In advance of the holiday, the text of Shir HaShirim can be taught on a broad level to explain the general perspectives of the text.
- When teaching symbolism/imagery in biblical texts, Shir HaShirim can be brought in as a prime example.
- Shir HaShirim is often read aloud at different times during prayer services, whether before Shabbat or on Shabbat itself, as a connection to the idea of the “Shabbat Bride.”
- Rav Solveitchik’s famous lecture and essay “Kol Dodi Dofek” references a portion of chapter 4 in the megillah. The essay uses the text from Shir HaShirim to demonstrate how events throughout Jewish history, such as the Holocaust, have been “knocks” from God that prove our continued love and connection, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption
Key Themes of Megillat Shir HaShirim
- Love (in different forms)
- Relationships
- Communication
- Imagery of nature in Israel
- God’s relationship to his people (allegorically)
- The story of the Jewish people (midrashically)
Key Imagery in Megillat Shir HaShirim
- Dod – he is described as a shepherd in the megillah who is also described as tall with black hair and a beard. In the midrashic understanding, he symbolizes God.
- Re’ayah – she is described as seemingly a female from a wealthy family, who is tall and full of grace. In the midrashic understanding, he symbolizes the People of Israel.
- B’not Yerushalayim – literally: the daughters of Jerusalem. The female lover often speaks to them.
- Deer, rams, and sheep are mentioned many times throughout the text, with other animals being referenced less frequently as well.
- There are many places mentioned throughout the text, as well as descriptions of scenery/natural locations in Israel, such as vineyards, mountain ranges, and specific locations like Mount Hermon.
- 23 types of plants are referenced in the text as well (9 perfume plants, 3 flowers of the land, 6 types of fruit trees, two types of forest trees, and three types of field plants).
Key Pesukim in Megillat Shir HaShirim
- Shir HaShirim 2:2 –
כְּשׁוֹשַׁנָּה בֵּין הַחוֹחִים כֵּן רַעְיָתִי בֵּין הַבָּנוֹת – Like a rose among thorns, so is my darling among the young women.
- Shir HaShirim 2:3 –
כְּתַפּוּחַ בַּעֲצֵי הַיַּעַר כֵּן דּוֹדִי בֵּין הַבָּנִים – Like an apple tree among trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men.
- Shir HaShirim 2:8 –
קוֹל דּוֹדִי הִנֵּה זֶה בָּא מְדַלֵּג עַל הֶ֣הָרִים מְקַפֵּץ עַל הַגְּבָעוֹת – The voice of my Beloved, there he comes, leaping over mountains, bounding over hills.
- Shir HaShirim 3:5 and 8:4 –
אִם תָּעִירוּ וְאִם תְּעוֹרְרוּ אֶת הָאַהֲבָה עַד שֶׁתֶּחְפָּץ – Do not wake or rouse love until it pleases [is ready]!
- Shir HaShirim 3:11 –
צְאֶנָה וּרְאֶינָה בְּנוֹת ציּוֹן – Maidens of Zion, go forth.
- Shir HaShirim 5:2 –
קוֹל דּוֹדִי דוֹפֵק – My Beloved is knocking!
- Shir HaShirim 2:5 and 5:8 –
שֶׁחוֹלַת אַהֲבָה אָֽנִי / כִּי חֹולַת אַהֲבָה אָנִי – That I am lovesick.
- Shir HaShirim 6:3 –
אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי – I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.
- Shir HaShirim 8:7 –
מַים רַבִּים לֹא יוּכְלוּ לְכַבּוֹת אֶת הָאַהֲבָה וּנְהָרוֹת לֹא יִשְׁטְפוּהָ – Vast floods cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.