Chapter 3:5-6
Daughters of Jerusalem, swear to me
By the gazelles, by the deer in the field,
that you will not awaken love until it is ripe.
Who is that rising from the wilderness,
Like a pillar of smoke,
Fragrant with myrrh and frankincense
From the powders of the merchant?
Oh sweet friends, trust the love that is awakened in me and then buried by the details of my life. Give me just one quiet moment of blessed stillness.
As the tumult settles I will hold in my hand the gift that I have been waiting to give.This wilderness is the place of transformation, the place where I am purified for your love, there I am made fragrant.
Only by journeying can we become lovers.
We will rise from the wilderness of alone-ness. Together we will enter the Land of the Beloved,
the place that flows with milk from the Great Mother
and honey from the Rock — Our Rock and Redeemer.
In the Fever of Love ©2008 Shefa Gold. All rights reserved.
Practice
Chant: Who Is That Rising from the Wilderness?
Commentary
I open to the Mystery that rises up out of the wilderness, responding to the call of the unknown. Who is this? She is the Shechina, the Divine presence who was hidden and is now making herself known, rising into my awareness. Who is this? She is my soul rising like fragrant incense towards the heavenly expanse, offering herself up to the Oneness.
Bridge to Torah
Rising from the wilderness, like a pillar of smoke, a formless God asks us to build a Mishkan, a dwelling place so that we might open to, receive and channel the Divine essence. The wilderness becomes a place of revelation and inspiration. The Mishkan we so lovingly build is made from our generosity and skillful artistry, our longing and enthusiasm. We awaken love in its time by surrounding our love with beauty.
Click to see Exodus 25:1–27:19 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985) or the associated Torah Journeys page.
Question for Contemplation
Can I open to trust the wilderness, the unknown, the Mystery that rises in response to my loving, curious longing?
Resources
View Love at the Center Resources.
See also SHS Commandment 5.
Click to see Song of Songs Chapter 3:5-6 in Hebrew with the English JPS (1985) translation.