Parshat Emor 5780
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the mitzvah of Lechem Ha'Panim. These were the twelve loaves on the Shulchan in the Beis Hamikdash which were distributed among the Kohanim every Shabbos. Rashi explains in parshat Terumah (Chapter 25, Pasuk 29) that the vessel which the bread sat upon were open from the sides. Since the bread could be seen the loaves were called Lechem Ha'Panim; the bread which faced them.
Why was it necessary that the Kohanim see the bread?
The Gemara in Yoma 21A teaches regarding the Lechem Ha'Panim, Siluko Ke'Siduro, the bread was removed from the table the same way it was originally placed. Despite the fact that the Lechem Ha'Panim were placed on the Shulchan on Shabbos, and were not removed and distributed until the following Shabbos, they remained fresh and warm. Siluko Ke'Siduro.
Why was it necessary for this miraculous occurrence of sitting on the Shulchan and remaining warm and fresh?
The Lechem Ha'Panim on the Shulchan in the Beis Hamikdash was the source of all sustenance in the world. And different people, dependent on their particular relationship with Hashem, receive their portion in the way most appropriate to them. Bnei Yisrael received their portion Panim el Panim, face to face, representing the closeness and intimacy between Bnei Yisrael and Hashem.
It's not always easy to look another person directly in the face. Particularly when receiving Tzedakah, as Chazal teach in the Gemara Yerushalmi in Arlah (Chapter 3, Halacha 1), one who eats that which is not his, is embarrassed to look the person in the face. However, the sustenance of Bnei Yisrael is not a handout, but rather an expression of a close and special relationship and a result of our devotion to Hashem. This is why the Lechem Ha'Panim are open at the side; Panim el Panim.
Shlomo Ha'Melech teaches in Koheles (Chapter 1, Pasuk 9), Eiyn Kol Chadash Tachas Ha'Shemesh; there is nothing new under the sun. The natural world has a predictable chain of events in which all physical matter decays and all people die. It's only above the sun, in the upper spheres, where there is newness and freshness. And as Rashi on the pasuk in Koheles teaches, in the world of Torah there are novel ideas and thoughts. But in our physical world, everything moves and changes to its predictable end.
One way this distinction is expressed is in the difference between man and angels. Angels are described as standing in one place, as the pasuk in sefer Yeshayahu states (Chapter 6, Pasuk 2), Serafim Omdim Mi'ma'al Lo. Standing expresses the idea of maintaining their status of holiness and purity and never changing. Man, however, is always described as moving, as the pasuk says in Bechukosai (Chapter 26, Pasuk 3), Im Bechukosai Teleichu, since all physical objects are always changing and moving.
The Sfas Emes teaches that Shabbos is a time where this physical process of change ceases. Since Shabbos is Me'Eiyn Olam Haba, we experience a holiness of Le'Ma'alah min Ha'Shemesh and the physical decay takes a break. This is why Shabbos is called Yom Menuchah; the rest is rest from the regular physical process. We become angels and stay in one place, as the pasuk says regarding Shabbos in parshat Beshalach (Chapter 16, Pasuk 29), Al Yeitzei Ish Mi'Mekomo Bayom Ha'Shevi'i. On Shabbos we remain in one place, our place of connection to Hashem and suspend the progression towards decay. And this is why Melacha is prohibited on Shabbos; Melacha involves making changes in the world and since the process of change is suspended, Melacha is forbidden.
The Sfas Emes explains the reason for the miracle of the Lechem Ha'Panim remaining hot and fresh a week later. Man goes through the entire physical process of making the Matza loaves of the Lechem Ha'Panim. We change the wheat and turn it into bread. And through the mitzvah of Lechem Ha'Panim in the Beis Hamkidash, the holiest place on earth where Hashem resides in our midst, we are able to connect the loaves to a world where there is no change. And they are distributed precisely on Shabbos; a day where there is no physical change and decay. And this is expressed by the Lechem Ha'Panim remaining hot and fresh; they stay the same, there is no change, as we connect to the upper spheres of Hashem and His angels.
Good Shabbos
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