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Jewish tradition teaches that this verse from Song of Songs is a metaphor
for the Lord entering the Temple that the Jewish people have erected for Him,
and partaking in the sacrifices that they offer to Him. The garden is a
reference to the holy Temple and the gathering of myrrh and spice is the
acceptance of the ritual incense offering that is brought in His honor. God
"eats" and "drinks" the offerings and libations by means of a fire which
descends from heaven to consume them. Finally, He calls upon his “friends”, the
loyal priests, to partake in their share of the sacrifices. Though there is no
longer a Temple standing where we can offer physical sacrifices to the Lord,
each year at Rosh Hashana, the Jewish people are called to make spiritual
sacrifices to God, and to renew their spirits and souls. We celebrate the
opportunity to come close to God by partaking of our own "libations" - a joyous
feast filled with foods that symbolize our hopes for the new year, including
apples and honey to signify the sweetness of our relationship with the Divine.
Sweeten your new year with honey from the Holy Land this Rosh Hashana!
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