THE SONG OF THE WHEAT STALK
Wheat sings of how Hashem raises from the depths to the heights.
[Song 28] Wheat Stalk (Ch. 3)
שִׁבֹּלֶת חִטִּים אוֹמֶרֶת. שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת מִמַּעֲמַקִּים קְרָאתִיךָ יי (תהילים קל א)
The Sheaves of Wheat are saying, “A song of ascents: Out of the depths have I cried to you, Hashem.”
Commentary
The wheat kernel is planted deep within the soil, dark and far from life. The
seed remains buried throughout the cold winter, only sprouting in the summer.
It sings that sometimes one has to descend to the depths of suffering in order to
reach the heights. Even then, when it matures to proud fruition with countless
life-giving grains, the weighted stalks bend over, in seeming humility.
The rebirth of the apparently rotting seedling is an analogy. No matter how
impure a person may become as a result of sin and spiritual stagnation, the
center of his heart remains untainted. A difficult period in life is not a reason
to halt prayer and communication with Hashem. In the depths, it is time to call
from the pure depths of the heart. Greatness awaits.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
A Jew can always live and relate with Hashem. King David called out to Him in situations of joy and of distress
equally. It can be questioned in which situation he felt closer to Hashem. Perhaps the same.
The song from the wheat stalk isn’t only heard when it stands proudly. From the depths its call is heard. A difficult
period in life is not a reason to halt prayer and communication with Hashem; it is time to call from the depths. It
is an irreplaceable step in “The Song of Ascents.”
Just like rain is summoned because of the call for it from within the soil, success in life comes from the realization
that we need Hashem’s blessing. He places one in the depths so that he call to Him. Once one does so countless
grains of success can sprout.
When the wheat reaches fruition and the ten necessary procedures are performed, all the way until baking - then
the song reaches its crescendo. Upon taking in one’s ten fingers the loaf of bread, the ten-worded Bracha is recited
and one thanks Hashem for bringing life to us from the abyss. Ten is the symbolic number that expresses fullness
and completion. When a person merits to rise to states of completion in his life he should remember from where
he came and thank the One Who “bent down” to bring him up.
The song of the wheat-stalk cries from the depths and ascends to the Heavens.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.