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Orchard of Delights Bechukotai

However, “the house of wine,” in this verse, has been interpreted in words of Bechukotai – “if you walk” – imply that we may choose not
several different ways. The Sages interpreted it as either an allegory to. However, adding one paradox upon another, just after stressing
for the Holy Temple or the Torah. Thus, even though the verse is our opportunity to choose, the Torah continues by enumerating the
written in the past tense, it can be read as a prayer that God bring us blessings to be showered upon us if we follow the Torah, and the
to His Third Temple and fulfill us with His Torah. Furthermore, since “curses” (forty-nine in all) that will befall us if we do not. So we
the Hebrew word for “wine” has the numerical value of seventy, the may have a choice, but on both individual and communal levels the
verse has also been read to allude to the seventy archetypal nations parameters of the choice seem to be quite limited, considering the
that were welcomed in the first two Temples. Thus, this verse in clearly delineated consequences.
Song of Songs can also be read as a prayer that God usher in the era The question of our apparent free choice is complicated even further
when His love will encircle us and flutter above us like a beautiful by the Torah’s prophetically declaring time and again, including in
banner and all the peoples of the earth will recognize and praise Him. our portion, what will in fact happen. Thus, in the following two
Indeed, the Third Temple is actually called “a house of prayer for all passages in Deuteronomy we read the following:
peoples” (Isaiah 56:7), for it will be built in the Messianic era when
all nations will come to worship God in true fellowship. God said to Moses, “Behold, you will lie with your forefathers,
but this people will rise up and stray after the gods of the foreigners
The Torah often plays on the numerical equivalency between the of the Land, in whose midst it is coming, and it will forsake Me and
Hebrew word for “wine” (yayin) and the Hebrew word for secret annul My covenant that I have sealed with it. My anger will flare
(sod). Thus, in a play on words, the Sages taught: “When wine goes against the people on that day and I will forsake them; and I will
in – the secret comes out” (Eruvin 65a). This equivalency also leads conceal My face from them and they will become prey, and many
to wine oftentimes symbolizing the sod, the secrets of the Torah. This evils and distresses will encounter the people. They will say on that
correspondence is alluded to in the second verse of Song of Songs: day, ‘Is it not because my God is not in my midst that these evils
“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth for they are sweeter have come upon me?’ But I will surely have concealed My face on
than wine.” “Kisses of his mouth” alludes to the deep secrets of the that day because of all the evil that it did, for they had turned to
Torah that when revealed to the Jewish soul, bring about the most gods of others. So now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to
intimate closeness between God and Israel. This spiritual “wine” is the Children of Israel, place it in their mouth, so that this song shall
sweeter than any physical pleasure this world can offer. Thus, God be for Me a witness against the Children of Israel. ‘For I shall bring
bringing us into his “house of wine” can also allude to His returning them to the Land that I swore to their forefathers, which flows with
us to Jerusalem, for the prophets prophesize that “Torah will come milk and honey, but they will eat, be sated, and grow fat, and turn
out of Zion and the word of God from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3). At to gods of others and serve them; they will provoke Me and annul
that time “the knowledge of God will fill the world like the waters My covenant. It shall be that when many evils and distresses come
cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). upon them, then this song shall speak up before them as a witness,
Jerusalem from time immemorial has been the heart of the Jewish for it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of its offspring, for I
people. A request for its rebuilding is included in our prayers three times know their inclination, what they do today, before I bring them to
a day and all Jews, no matter where in the world, face Jerusalem to pray. the Land that I have sworn.’” (Deuteronomy 31:16-21)
Jerusalem not only represents the Jewish people’s deepest longings but
also has always been our capital city. It is the flag by which every Jew It will be that when all these things come upon you –
camps and in the future it will take on this role for humanity. the blessing and the curse that I have presented before
you – then you will take it to your heart among all the

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