Parshat Vayikra speaks about the different types of sacrifices that Hebrews are to make.
I have to admit that the idea that sacrifice somehow brings us closer to God is really difficult for me to fathom, so instead of writing about sacrifice, I will write around the theme of sacrifice and about how ancient sacrifice has evolved to our practice today.
This poem takes the idea of ancient sacrifice to our dining rooms. Salt, that modest substance that we often overlook, played an important role in sacrifice in ancient times and still retains a place of importance on our Shabbat tables. We so often take our actions for granted . Even sprinkling salt on our challah can bring us directly back to the sacrifices of Parshat Vayikra.
For those of you who wish to learn more, at the bottom of this post I have listed a few articles on the concept of The Covenant of Salt.
In addition, I've included a poem I wrote a few years ago about a dining room table. It is one of my favorites and I hope you will go back and check it out.
An early Shabbat Shalom to you. I hope you will share your traditions of challah and salt in the comments section below.
Leann
SALT
She picks up
the
blue ceramic
salt shaker.
Its small gold letters remind her
of the words she is commanded to say,
but memorized so long ago.
She sits.
The guests around the table
wait
expectantly.
A silver stillness
rests over the table,
which is
pregnant
before the release of
oohs
and
ahs
that will soon
rise
like the songs of
the Levites
above the twin loaves
whose golden braids
rest gently
on the
silver challah plate
while the table beneath
is a mizbeach draped in white.
She,
a modern day priestess,
thinks little
of her actions
as she lifts
her hand,
holding
the salt shaker
high above the
golden loaves.
There is no lowing calf,
no baaing sheep.
No fragrant smoke,
no orange flame
that licks at her hand
as it rises
above
the twin breads.
Her creative force.
Her Sabbath masterpieces.
She blesses.
As the words
fall from her mouth
and rise heavenward
salt
sprinkles forth from the
blue shaker.
It rains down gently like
manna
once rained down from heaven.
It rains down like quails from the sky
to satisfy an unending hunger.
The modern Priestess
pours salt down on her
yeasty sacrifice.
Its golden braids
willingly
accept the
tiny crystals.
Salt
works its way into its tiny caves and crevasses.
It settles in.
The golden braids are
ripped and torn
and passed with great solemnity
to the guests,
who crave its
soft Sabbath sweetness.
Their tongues
feel the sensation
of sweetness
and saltiness
together.
The oohs and ahs have begun.
They rise around the table like
joyful
smoke rings.
The people are happy now.
Satisfied.
And none,
not even
the modern day priestess,
notice
the salt covering the table,
like manna on the desert floor.
The ceremony is over.
So salty,
yet so sweet.
The guests at the table
unceremoniously
begin their meal.
You shall season your every offering of meal with salt; you shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt.
Leviticus 2:13
וְכל־קרְבַּ֣ן מִנְחָתְךָ֮ בַּמֶּ֣לַח תִּמְלָח֒ וְלֹ֣א תַשְׁבִּ֗ית מֶ֚לַח בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ מֵעַ֖ל מִנְחָתֶ֑ךָ עַ֥ל כּל־קרְבָּנְךָ֖ תַּקְרִ֥יב מֶֽלַח׃
An article on the Covenant of Salt by Rabbi Tim Daniel Bernard from the Jewish Theological Seminary. https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/a-covenant-of-salt/
Another article on the Covenant of Salt by Alex Israel:
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