Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim/2

Purpose of the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim

Exegetical Approaches

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Regalia of Hashem's Earthly Palace

The Tabernacle was built to resemble a human palace, and thus the Shulchan and Lechem HaPanim represent the dining hall of Hashem's abode.

Sources:Midrash Aggadah (Buber)Shemot 27:1, #1About Midrash Aggadah (Buber), R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 25:23-30Shemot 30:1About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Abarbanel #2Shemot 25:23About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel,¹ Seforno #1Shemot 25:23-29About R. Ovadyah Seforno, Cassuto

Relationship to other vessels in the Mishkan – R"Y Bekhor Shor and Abarbanel suggest that each section of the Mishkan and its accompanying vessels was equivalent to a different room in a king's palace.  The Bronze Altar represented the the kitchen, outside and far from the king's actual throne.  The "Kodesh" with the Table, Menorah and Incense was like a living room, providing food, light, and spices as servants entered.  Finally, the Inner Sanctum and the ark symbolize the king's private abode and throne, to which he alone had access.

Does Hashem need a house? Midrash Aggadah asserts that Hashem had no need for such a structure and that in fact, the request to build a house stemmed not from Him but from the people.  Since the nation only knew how to relate to Hashem via human models of relationship, they thought to honor God in the way that subjects glorify a king, by building him a palace.

Secondary vessels - "קְּעָרֹתָיו וְכַפֹּתָיו וּקְשׂוֹתָיו וּמְנַקִּיֹּתָיו " – According to Cassuto the "קערות" and "כפות" were plates or bowls of varying size, while the "קשו,"and "מנקיות"  were vessels to hold libations.  He asserts that similar vessels were ofud on tables in pagan temples, where they would be filled with food  and thought  to be necessary sustence for the gods.  Here, in contrast, the vessels were empty to e werR"Y Bekhor Shor

Priestly eating of the bread – Cassuto explains that the

אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּךְ בָּהֵן

לֶחֶם פָּנִים

תָּמִיד

בְּרִית עוֹלָם

Symbolism of twelve?

Symbol of Material Blessings

The Table and Showbread symbolize that Hashem is the source of sustenance for all of mankind.

Sources:RashiShemot 25:24-30About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,² 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 Lechem HaPanim constitutes a covenant sealing meal which renews the eternal covenant between the nation and Hashem.

Sources:R. Yechieli

¹ Abarbanel combines this approach with the idea below that the table represented material blessings.

² See also Bavli YomaYoma 72bAbout the Bavli and Shemot Rabbah34:2About Shemot Rabbah whom Rashi draws off when speaking of the Table as representing the crown of kingship.