To make the show bread
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
This Mitzvah's Summary
The Kohanim must prepare twelve loaves of showbread each week and place them on the Table in the Sanctuary before Hashem.
This mitzvah requires the baking and weekly arrangement of twelve loaves of lechem hapanim (showbread), placed on the shulchan (Table) in the Sanctuary. Each loaf was made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour. The loaves were arranged in two rows of six, with pure frankincense placed beside them as a memorial portion to be burned on the altar.
The loaves remained on the Table from one Shabbat to the next, and on each new Shabbat the previous loaves were removed and eaten by the Kohanim. This continual presence symbolized Hashem’s ongoing providence and blessing upon Israel’s sustenance. The Talmud (Menachot 96b) teaches that the loaves miraculously stayed fresh throughout the week. Rambam codifies that this mitzvah demonstrated Hashem’s constant presence and generosity in providing bread for His people. Sefer HaChinuch explains that the symbolism of bread reflects life itself, showing that Israel’s livelihood is tied to the Divine covenant.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 5:1–7): Codifies the procedure for baking, arranging, and replacing the showbread.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 97): Explains that bread represents sustenance, teaching trust that all blessing flows from Hashem.
- Talmud (Menachot 96b): Notes the miracle that the bread remained fresh all week, a sign of Divine providence.
- Rashi (Lev. 24:5): Clarifies the size of each loaf and arrangement of the rows.
- Midrash Rabbah (Lev. 31:7): Teaches that the showbread symbolized Israel’s partnership with Hashem in sustaining the world.
Contrast with the Daily Tamid Offerings:
- The tamid (Mitzvah 373) expressed constant devotion through daily sacrifices of animals. In contrast, the lechem hapanim (Mitzvah 381) expressed constant devotion through bread — the symbol of daily sustenance. Ramban (Lev. 24:8) explains that just as the tamid secured forgiveness and closeness, the showbread secured blessing and livelihood. Talmud (Menachot 96b) highlights that while the tamid consumed offerings on the altar, the showbread was shared by the Kohanim, showing Hashem’s providence extends from heaven to the community’s table.
Commentaries
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- Rambam (Temidin 5:1) rules that the showbread was part of the Sanctuary’s weekly rhythm, binding Israel to Hashem through their sustenance. Midrash Rabbah (Lev. 31:7) states that the Temple embodied not just prayer and sacrifice but also physical blessing, expressed through bread.
Sacrifices – קָרְבָּנוֹת
- Talmud (Menachot 96b) explains that the burning of the frankincense portion elevated the bread as a korban. Sefer HaChinuch (97) adds that this ritual taught Israel to see even daily bread as part of Divine service, sanctified as an offering.
Mizbeach – מִזְבֵּחַ
- Ramban (Lev. 24:8) writes that the frankincense burned on the altar connected the bread to the Mizbeach, showing that sustenance too must ascend spiritually. Rashi (Lev. 24:7) affirms this act transformed ordinary bread into a memorial before Hashem.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Sefer HaChinuch (97) teaches that holiness extends to Israel’s sustenance, not just ritual. The loaves symbolized that even physical food could be sanctified when dedicated to Hashem. Talmud (Menachot 96b) notes the miracle of freshness as a direct sign of holiness in the Mikdash.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Temidin 5:7) codifies that the weekly cycle of bread testified to Hashem’s constant providence. Midrash Rabbah (Lev. 31:7) explains that faith grows from recognizing sustenance as Divine, not merely human effort.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Mishnah (Menachot 11:9) records that the communal half-shekel funded the showbread, making it an act of collective devotion. Sefer HaChinuch (97) explains that just as all Israel eats bread, so all Israel was represented in the loaves.
Gratitude – הוֹדָיָה
- Talmud (Menachot 96b) highlights that the fresh loaves were a sign of Hashem’s generosity. Ramban (Lev. 24:8) writes that offering bread weekly expressed gratitude for sustenance, teaching Israel to thank Hashem for life’s simplest blessings.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Aseh 25) categorizes the showbread as service directed solely to Hashem. Rashi (Lev. 24:8) affirms its permanence — a “covenant forever,” highlighting devotion that endures continually between Israel and G-d.
