The Custom of Reading Shir HaShirim on Pesach (Passover)
On Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed Pesach (or if there is no Shabbat Chol HaMo’ed, then on the seventh or eighth day of Pesach), we read Shir HaShirim—The Song of Songs, written by Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon)—before Kriat HaTorah. Without question, Shir HaShirim is one of the most difficult Shirim (songs) in all of Tanach. Not because it is so hard to understand, but because it is so easily misunderstood.
Some may think it’s just a nice love song. But Rabbi Akiva (a great Talmudic sage) teaches: “If all the songs in Tanach are kadosh (holy), Shir HaShirim is kodesh kodashim—the holiest of holies!”
Why is Song of Songs Read on Passover?
Shir Hashirim is read on Passover because it shows the great love Hashem and Bnei Yisrael (the Jewish people) have for each other after Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt).
Shir Hashirim talks about the deep, unwavering love Hashem has for us, His children. Even when Bnei Yisrael strayed repeatedly throughout history, Hashem continued to love us and wait for our return each time—and when we came back, there was great joy! Hashem’s love for us is unconditional, and we know that deep down, even when it’s sometimes hard for us to feel it.
Pesach, as well, speaks of the great love between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael, and how Hashem brought us out of Egypt to help us return to Him and rekindle the love relationship.
This is just like a parent to their child. No matter how many times a child may stray from his/her parent, no matter what they do or how long it takes for the child to return, the parent’s love is unconditional and always there for them.
The Message of Love and Return
Now we can better understand why the Song of Songs is read on Passover: to remind us that, just as a married couple who deeply love each other are constantly thinking about each other, so too, as we free ourselves from the troubles and burdens of life—just as Bnei Yisrael left the hard labor of Egypt—we can come back and rekindle our deep love for Hashem.
How so? Because when we are no longer weighed down by our troubles, we are able to constantly think about Hashem, allowing Hashem’s love for us to be felt even stronger than before!
Pesach – a Time to Reconnect on a “Love High”
The goal of Pesach is leave all our troubles and pain behind, and to reconnect with Hashem on a love high to the point where we are only thinking constantly about Him; to have the words “Shiviti Hashem l’negdi tamid”—”I place Hashem before me always”—on our lips at all times. Each of us can build our own personal and loving connection with Hashem!
A Love That Lasts Forever
Pesach marks the beginning of that deep love between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael, which continued unconditionally through Jewish History and will continue forever and ever.
Chag kasher v’sameach!
Submitted by: Devora David
