THE SONG OF THE DEW
The dew sings of Hashem’s desire to bestow constant blessings upon His nation, which will only be fully possible in the future redemption.
[Song 20] Dew (Ch. 2)
טַל אוֹמֵר. אֶהְיֶה כַטַּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל יִפְרַח כַּשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה וְיַךְ שָׁרָשָׁיו כַּלְּבָנוֹן: (הושע יד ו)
The Dew is saying: “I shall be as the dew to Yisra'Hashem, he shall blossom as a rose, he shall spread forth his roots as the Lebanon.”
Commentary
Dew is essential for the growth of plant-life in the same way that rain is. However,
unlike rain which is only beneficial in the right season and amount, and even then
it is bothersome, dew is a welcome blessing throughout the year. It sings of how
Hashem will nurture His nation everlastingly in their future rebirth.1 Then, we will
“sprout like a flower”, which is cone-shaped and uniquely receptive of dew
accepting Hashem’s invitation to return. We will “strike roots like the cedars of
Lebanon”, performing complete Teshuva and sprouting in towering glory.
Like the dew, we should nurture relationships perpetually and make them blossom.
When we do, we are setting the tone for the coming redemption.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Hashem’s attribute of kindness is His first and primary one. Similarly, the first of the Patriarchs specialized in deeds of
selfless lovingkindness. The attribute of justice functions only to hold the system in check, lest the overabundance of
goodness lead to overindulgence, ungratefulness, and rebellion. It follows, that if we would merely removed the sins that
block us from Hashem, His kindness would be constant and everlasting – like the dew.
We, too, are emulate His kindness to the best of our limited ability. We have many limitations: of time, energy, funds, and
lack of certainty as where our kindness should be directed. However, when the opportunity is found, we should be a constant source of unconditional goodness to all around us. When we do so, the song of the dew fills the world, and Hashem sees fit to bless us too, always – like the dew.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.