At times we don’t realize how much is going right in our
life and how perilous and fragile our existence truly is. Due to a new
microscopic invader, once more our precarious standing in the universe has been
brought to light. However, we shouldn’t need to rely on a pandemic to
appreciate our daily living. There is another tool at our disposal that we have
to appreciate our daily sustenance.
The only
remnant we have of our temple is not only in the ruins of Jerusalem, but exists
in almost all homes across the world- a table. It is odd that something as
simple and mundane as a table took prominence in the temple. A glorious light fixture such as the menorah
and the beautiful ark with its cherubic figures seems to fit in with the theme
of a temple, but a table doesn’t seem to capture the imagination in quite the
same way. So what was a table doing
there and what was its function?
On a
simple level, the word Shulchan helps explain its importance. The word comes
from the word, ‘to send’, ‘sholeach’. The
table at the temple was the symbol that reminded us that our ‘bread’ which is sent to us daily is a blessing. Meaning, a person should sit at his table and recognize
that the bounty at their table is not automatic or a given. One should feel
a sense of gratitude. On a deeper level,
we are reminded that a gathering around food should not only be a venue to
comment on the latest recipes and on favorite tastes. While we should certainly
make the chef feel appreciated, a meal provides an opportunity to stop and
connect with others and share deep wisdom.
This means the meal is now a vehicle for something more. And finally, the Talmud states if a person
stays at his table for a long time he will merit a long life. The reason? Because
it gives him an opportunity to have many guests. This is the beauty of a table
and why Jewish life revolves around it.
It is a vehicle for wisdom, gratitude, and giving and there is nothing more
Jewish than that.
