Thou shalt cultivate generosity in appreciation of the beauty that is before thee.
The Language of Song of Songs teaches us to be extravagant with praise. The Lovers of the Song make a gift of their expressive, warm attention, always finding new gifts of admiration to shower upon each other. The Song commands us to cultivate that same generosity of spirit. We are invited to look for the good in others and to extend our capacity for giving.
You are all-beautiful, my friend,
There is no blemish in you. Song of Songs 4:7
There are so many teachings in our Tradition about Lashon HaRa (“bad speech”), rules limiting harmful talk because words are such a powerful force for us. The Song turns this teaching around by commanding us instead to express the goodness that rests in our hearts. If you have something nice to say and you don’t say it, you have broken a commandment of the Song.
To praise is a transformative act. It changes the giver and the recipient, both. Expressing our appreciation for beauty lifts us up to the level of the object of our praise. To be in relationship in this deeply affirming way unlocks the power to raise both Self and Other to a higher level.
See also Shir HaShirim (Tzav).