Song of Songs 5:1

I have come to my garden. In the days of the dedication of the Beis Hamikdosh.

I have gathered. I gathered, and it is a term of the Mishnah, “as much space [as is required by] a gatherer אוֹרֶה and his basket.” It is also a term found in Scripture, “and all wayfarers have plucked וְאָרוּהָ its fruit.” And this was stated in regard to the incense, which they burned as an individual incense offering—the tribal princes on the outside altar and it was accepted. This is something that does not apply to later generations. Because of this, it is stated, “I have eaten my sugar cane with my sugar.” There is honey that grows in canes, as it is stated, “into the sugar of the יַעְרַת canes ,” and “יַעְרַת” is a term referring to a cane, as in, “and she placed [it] among the reeds בַּסוּף,” [which Targum renders] “and she placed it in the reeds בְּיַעֲרָא.” And the sugar is sucked out and the wood is discarded. But I, out of great love, “ate my sugar cane with my sugar,” I ate the cane with the sugar, the inedible with the edible, [signifying] the freewill incense offering, and likewise, the he-goats sin-offering that the tribal princes sacrificed, although a sin-offering is not brought as a freewill sacrifice, but I accepted them on that day.

I have drunk my wine. These are the libations.

With my milk. They were sweeter and clearer than milk.

Eat [my] friends. Aharon and his sons, in the Tent of Meeting, and all the kohanim, in the eternal Temple.

Drink and become intoxicated [my] beloved ones. These are the Israelites because they are forbidden to drink wine or any intoxicating beverage before performing the divine service. who ate the flesh of the peace offerings that they sacrificed for the dedication of the altar.