Turn back, turn back, O maid of Shulem! Turn back, turn back that we might gaze upon you: The shekhinah says: “If Israel returns in penitence, then we will gaze upon you, we will see you in joy and honor.” Israel replies: How will you gaze at the Shulamite? In the Mahanaim dance: As in a dance performed together by two camps [mahanot]: the Glory and the shekhinah of His power. This means that He will cause the Presence to dwell in your midst.

The verse continues to array the praises of the shekhinah. A King is held captive in your tresses…. This refers to the intimacy [kirvah] of Glory to Glory and her unification.

The [sefirotic] form is likened to a palm tree [Cant. 7:8], in image and in parable, a tree that unites the male and female within it, possessing one body and two branches. We have received this interpretation from the mouth of an enlightened kabbalist.

I say: Let me climb the palm: Israel said: “Although sin has caused separation [between God and myself], I planned to ascend to greatness through the merit of the shekhinah who is compared to a palm tree.”

Let me take hold of its branches: With our hands we will grasp hold of its deeds and merits.

Let your breasts be like clusters of grapes, your breath like the fragrance of apples: The locus of her nursing [yenikah] is like the grape cluster, for you receive illumination and outpouring of emanation from the source, Wisdom.

Your breath like the fragrance of apples: The simile refers to her receiving [the energy of emanation] from the two cherubim.

And your mouth is like the choicest wine: Your words are nothing less than an advocate, championing the cause of Israel before the Glory, giving expression to the lips of the sleepers—these are Israel in their exile.

Come my beloved: The shekhinah said to the Glory, after the decree of Israel’s exile was enacted: “Why do you stand afar, and ascend to the uttermost heights?”

Let us go to the field: Do not remove your presence from me. Here in my exile are sages, expounders of Torah, houses of prayer and houses of study. This is the meaning of vineyards, blossoms, pomegranates and mandrakes.