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Why does Rashi (רש"י) say the showbread table had only one crown when Jewish sovereignty clearly involves both domestic and foreign responsibilities? The shiur develops Rashi's insight that meals create unity, making shalom the king's single mission. Both internal governance and external defense serve one goal: enabling Jews to come together in harmony around the table.
Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the construction of the showbread table in the Mishkan, focusing on the debate between Rashi (רש"י) and the Sforno regarding whether the table had one or two crowns (zer/diadem). The Sforno argues for two crowns, representing the dual functions of Jewish sovereignty: internal governance (national policy and economics) and external protection (foreign policy). However, Rashi maintains there was only one crown. The shiur explains that the Talmud (תלמוד) identifies three crowns corresponding to three leadership roles in Jewish society: the crown of Torah (תורה) (represented by the Ark), the crown of priesthood (represented by the golden altar), and the crown of sovereignty (represented by the showbread table). The question becomes: why does Rashi see only one crown for sovereignty when leadership clearly involves both domestic and foreign responsibilities?
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Parshas Terumah 25:23-25, Parshas Bechukosai 26:6
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