During the Shabbat of Passover it is traditional to read Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), an ancient love song written by King Solomon. Because Passover marks the beginning of the Jewish people’s “romance” with God, it was decided that Solomon’s song would be used to celebrate God’s love for his people.
In 1923, Ze’ev Raban (born Wolf Rawicki, 1890-1970) created an illustrated edition of the Song of Songs including 26 original colour plates of which this is one (many others were much more revealing). Raban was one of the first prominent artists in the Bezalel School of Art, which was founded in Israel in 1906. He mixed European and Oriental styles in his work which can be seen in the decorative elements of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem and the YMCA across the street from the hotel.
This page includes a quote from Chapter 2, verse 1 of Song of Songs which reads: “I am the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. As a lily among the thorns, so is my love for you among the daughters.”
Rose of Sharon in Hebrew is havatzelet haSharon. This is also the name of a moshav in Israel which was founded in 1935, and named after prominent Canadian Zionist Lillian Freiman. Lily of the valley in Hebrew is shoshanat haAmakim, which is the name of a neighbouring village founded in 1951. Both of these communities are on land purchased with funds raised by Jewish Canadians in the 1920s.
Although some might question how well God’s love for his people is demonstrated, there is no question about His people’s love for the land. Modern communities have been established on our ancestral homeland, named for phrases written by King Solomon, which are read on the holiday that marks the exodus from Egypt and the beginning of our first journey home.
