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Why does Parshas Terumah describe one or two crowns on the shulchan (showbread table)? The Sforno sees two crowns representing the king's dual roles—domestic policy and foreign policy. Rashi (רש"י) argues for one crown, teaching that the sovereign's sole function is creating shalom, and food itself is the vehicle for bringing people together, not merely sustenance.
Rabbi Zweig explores the machlokes between Rashi (רש"י) and the Sforno regarding the crowns (zer) on the shulchan (showbread table) in Parshas Terumah. The Torah (תורה) describes the table with what appears to be two crowns—one on the table itself and one on the misgeres (frame). Rashi holds there is only one crown, repeated twice in the text for emphasis, while the Sforno interprets this as two distinct crowns representing the dual functions of Jewish sovereignty. The Gemara (גמרא) in Yoma teaches that three crowns were given to the Jewish people: the crown of Torah (on the Aron), the crown of Kehunah/priesthood (on the golden altar), and the crown of Malchus/sovereignty (on the shulchan). The Sforno explains that the king has two separate responsibilities: national policy (economics, law and order) and foreign policy (protection from enemies). Therefore, he sees two crowns on the table—one representing internal prosperity and one representing the misgeres (closure/protection) from external threats.
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Parshas Terumah (Shemos 25:23-25)
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