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Putting salt on...![]() Why put a saltspoon on the shabbostable? Untill it was destroyed, the Temple was the focal point of Judaism. The question is what could have that role now. According to one opinion it is the synagogue. But a more mystical, chassidic interpretation has it that it is the home, every Jewish home. According to this interpretation, building the Temple constituted the building of a home in which God was to live with the people of Israel, and eventually, all human beings. Every Shabbat we are reminded of it. Before sunset on Friday evening, women light the Shabbat candles. This reminds us of the first task of the day for the priests: to light the Menora. The blessing over the wine is a reminder of the wine that was once used for many offers. The beautifully braided challot, the two Shabbat breads with which we start the Shabbat meal, symbolise the twelve showbreads in the Temple that were refreshed every Friday shortly before sunset. The salt in which we dip the challa or that we sprinkle over it after saying the blessing over the bread, is based on the Biblical commandment: "On all of your offerings you shall offer salt." ((Vayikra-Leviticus 2:13) Because salt, a preservative, is a symbol for the indestructibility of God's covenant with Israel. And because we like to make Shabbat as beautifull as we can by using beautifull objects, you may well find a beautifull salt cellar or silver spoon such as this one on the shabbostable. |
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