Bread

This week we read the parasha of Emor, which so far seems to be a return to the longer parshiyot of VaYikra.  For certain is that after some detour, the Torah returns to detailed laws surrounding the kohanim, including who they may marry, how they become tamei (some translate as "contaminated"), what funerals they may attend, and other precise laws.

A phrase used with incredible frequency in this portion is one that I honestly cannot recall seeing - and certainly not seeing so frequently - in Torah which is "G-d's bread" - lechem Elohim.  That in many texts, this bread (which is actually the korbanot - I believe the peace-offering specifically is named) is very holy - holy because it is G-d's - and shall not under any circumstances be contaminated by a kohen that is tamei.

As always, "the most radical interpretation of the verse is the most literal," so in a sense, yes, G-d does "eat" these korbanot.  But, of course, there remain an infinite number of interpretations as to how sacrifices are G-d's "bread."

To me, it all comes back to relationship.  To quote another verse - I believe from Devarim - "man cannot live on bread alone" - it is H' which supplies the life force, the vitality, and the material goodness to survive, thrive, and study and do Torah.  There's a reason why, even in modern parlance, we refer to cash (livelihood) as "bread" - in truth, we should recognize this as G-d's Blessing to us, and as divinely-granted sustenance to survive, as we very much need (and should appreciate) in order to achieve everything we need to do.

But, as is so critical in Judaism, it's not a one-way street.  It's a relationship - this relationship between us and G-d.  How many brilliant sages have used the phrase "partners in creation"?  Thus, one would never say that G-d "needs" us or "depends on us" - certainly not, as G-d is totally and completely self-sustaining - but yet, in some weird way, at least since the dawn of this creation - G-d most definitely does "need" and "depend" on us.  Why else would the Torah quite clearly use the word "bread" to describe what korbanot such as the peace-offerings are, if not to clearly indicate this sort of relationship?

When we are offering this, however, just as we would want G-d's blessing to be free of anything but pure blessing, we must be very careful to give our very best.  To not give spoiled and moldy "bread." Note that G-d doesn't specify what bread to give - only that it be from the very deepest and most authentic recesses of our souls.