On Shabbos Chol HaMoed, the prevailing custom is to read Shir HaShirim. Written like a love story, Chazal say it is the holiest of holies, representing the relationship between Hashem and the Jewish People. One phrase appears over and over in this Megilla. Three times, the author adjures the “daughters of Jerusalem,” not to arouse love until it is desired. The basic understanding is that it must be Hashem’s desire to redeem us and bring us to Him. At that time, He will inspire us to repent, either through troubles or some other means.
The word used, “ad she’techpatz,” means “until it is desired,” but can imply something else as well. The root of the word is CH-F-TZ, and cheifetz means an object. The Ramban in his work HaEmunah V’HaBitachon (19) explains that when one is struck with inspiration, he must act quickly on it before the urge to do good dissipates.
If one is inspired by some experience or words, and imagines various ways he will put it into action at a later time, it will likely lose its potency in a very short while and he will never act upon it. However, by doing some mitzva or concrete action immediately, he can give the inspiration life and staying power, because he has already begun to use it and it can take root in his soul and life.
