There is a great Machloket between HaRambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, Spain-Egypt, 1135-1204), and the Shulchan Aruch in regards to what the proper text would be for the Beracha of ‘VeTzivanu Al Ha’Arayot’. The Beracha is part of Birkat Erusin which are the Berachot recited under the Chupa.
According to Rambam, the text should read ‘Asher Kidishanu BiMitzvotav VeHivdilanu Min Ha’Arayot’. According to Maran in Shulchan Aruch, in Eben HaEzer siman 34, the text should be ‘Asher Kidishanu BiMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Ha’Arayot’.
The Rambam’s text states that Hashem commanded us to separate {VeHivdilanu} ourselves from {Min} Arayot. The word Arayot according to Rambam has an implication of unions that are forbidden. In the Beracha, we are stating that G-d told us to abstain from forbidden relations.
Maran’s text states that Hashem commanded us on {Al} the Arayot.
The Chatam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe Sofer, Austria-Hungary, 1763-1840), in Orach Hayim 54, asks, how could we say ‘Al Harayot’ as it implies advocating Arayot? So the Chatam Sofer explains based on an opinion from a very important Gemara in Masechet Yoma. There, the Gemara quotes a pasuk from the book of Melachim. The pasuk refers to the Cherubs that were on top of the ark in the Kodesh Kodashim. The pasuk [listen to the audio clip for quotation of the pasuk] writes that the Cherubs embraced each other. In the pasuk, the word ‘KimArat’ is used to illustrate hugging. Now, the word ‘KimArat’ and the word ‘Arayot’ share the same root and express the same meaning. Therefore, Maran’s text stating that Hashem commanded us on {Al} the Arayot has positive connotation of husband and wife embracing just as the Cherubs did atop the Aron Kodesh.
We learn more from this Pasuk, that the Cherubs embraced each other in times of favorable relations, but separated in times of strain and disdain. Oddly enough though, when the Bet HaMikdash was destroyed, it is told that the Cherubs were in deed embracing. This seems contrary to expectations. We learn from this that Hashem embraced his spouse B’nei Yisrael before sending B’Nei Yisrael into Galut (Diaspora.) There is a Halacha; ‘Chayav Adam Lifkod Et Ishto, Kodem Tzeto LaDerech’, meaning a husband should be with his wife before leaving out of town, (of course so long as she is Tehora). So Hashem embraced and bonded with B’nei Yisrael before the migration into Galut as a show of sincerity and caring. Even though it may seem that we are not in times of Divine presence, we nevertheless should feel confidant that Hashem remains abound and is part of our lives in Galut.
