Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim/2

Purpose of the Table and Showbread

Exegetical Approaches

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Regalia of Hashem's Earthly Palace

The Tabernacle was built to resemble a human palace. Just as a mortal king's abode is not replete without a dining hall, so too, Hashem's Tabernacle was not complete without a table and bread.

Sources:Midrash Aggadah (Buber)Shemot 27:1, #1About Midrash Aggadah (Buber), R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeotAbout R. Saadia Gaon, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 25:23-30Shemot 30:1About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, AbarbanelShemot 25:23About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, SefornoShemot 25:23-29About R. Ovadyah Seforno

Symbol of Material Blessings

The Table and Showbread represent the physical blessings that Hashem bestows on mankind and show how Hashem is the source of all sustenance and abundance.

Sources:Bavli YomaYoma 72bAbout the Bavli , Shemot Rabbah34:2About Shemot Rabbah, RashiShemot 25:24-30About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, AbarbanelShemot 25Shemot 25:23About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, SefornoShemot 25:23-29About R. Ovadyah Seforno, Keli YekarShemot 25:23-31About R. Shelomo Ephraim Lunshitz, NetzivVayikra 24:5-9About R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin

Sign of Covenant

The Table and its accompanying bread represent the meal eaten at a covenant.  Thus, the vessel serves as a reminder of the eternal covenant made between the nation and Hashem at Sinai.

Sources:R. Yechieli