282. Rabbi Yitzchak opened the discussion saying: "While the king was reclining at his board, my nard sent forth its fragrance" (Shir Hashirim 1:12). "While the king," refers to the Holy One, blessed be He, as is written, "Thus says Hashem, the King of Yisrael" (Yeshayah 44:6), and, "And he was King in Yeshurun" (Devarim 33:5). "While the King was reclining at his board," MEANS between the wings of Cherubs THAT WERE ON THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY. "My nard gave forth its fragrance," MEANS THEY CAUSED THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, to depart from among them, AND "GIVES FORTH ITS FRAGRANCE" MEANS THEIR BAD ODOR!

283. Another explanation of : "While the King was reclining at his board," meaning while the Holy One, blessed be He, was still giving the Torah to Yisrael, as it is written, "And he was there with Hashem forty days and forty nights" (Shemot 34:28). While he was still writing the Torah for Yisrael, they abandoned their good fragrance and said, "These are your Elohim, Yisrael" (Shemot 32:4). THE MEANING OF "SENT FORTH" IS 'ABANDONED.'

284. Another explanation of, "While the King was reclining at His board." While the Holy One, blessed be He, was still descended on Mount Sinai to give the Torah to Yisrael, "my nard sent forth its fragrance," MEANING, LITERALLY, THAT IT GAVE ITS GOOD FRAGRANCE. It is written THAT THEY SAID, "Will we do, and obey" (Shemot 24:7).