THE SONG OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN
The Garden of Eden sings about the true, unending pleasure experienced after this world.
[Song 3] Garden Of Eden (Ch. 1)
גַּן עֵדֶן אוֹמֵר. עוּרִי צָפוֹן וּבוֹאִי תֵימָן הָפִיחִי גַנִּי יִזְּלוּ בְשָׂמָיו יָבֹא דוֹדִי לְגַנּוֹ וְיֹאכַל פְּרִי מְגָדַיו: (שיר השירים ד טז)
The Garden of Eden is saying: “Arouse yourself, O north [wind], and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, let its spices flow out; let my Beloved come to his garden and eat of its precious fruit.”
Commentary
The Garden of Eden sings how Hashem invites the north and south winds to
circulate its divine fragrances for the righteous within it. North is the direction
which symbolizes the physical, and its wind delights the soul for righteous usage
of the physical world, such as the giving of money for charity. The south wind
brings pleasure due for spiritual accomplishments, such as Torah study. The
Garden sings how all are justly rewarded for their unique role in Hashem’s world.
We should channel all of our faculties and all elements of the world towards the
service of Hashem. There is nothing created by the Holy God that is too unholy to
be sanctified. Jews, more than any nation in the world, are pleasure-seekers.
However, we seek true pleasure, which satisfies the spirit, not the illusion of
transitory physical lust. Then, we can experience the delight of Gan Eden even in
this world, and echo its song to the Creator.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Jews, more than any nation in the world, are pleasure-seekers. However, we seek true pleasure, not the illusion of
transitory physical lust.1 A truly enjoyable life, even in this world, is only one that involves also the south wind
with it – that of intellectuality and spirituality.
The goal of pleasure is somewhat elusive in this world. Only in Gan Eden did we, and will we, experience it fully.
On Shabbos, when physical pleasure is a spiritual Mitzvah, we can taste it. Through the week, we savor the taste
and follow the scent towards Gan Eden.
Take pleasure in the beautiful words of the Torah, in the meaning of the Mitzvos, and in the sanctity you invest
in the physical involvement in this world. Channel all of your faculties and all elements of the world towards the
service of Hashem. There is nothing created by the Holy God that is too unholy to be sanctified.
The more we connect with the Holy One, even in our physical lifetimes, the more Gan Eden’s song of pleasure
resounds.
Inspirational commentary By
Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.