By Rabbi Alberto Sermoneta
This Shabbat we will read the third chapter of Pirkei Avot; in the third mishnah (the fourth according to some editions) we find a maxim in the name of Rabbi Shimon (Bar Yochai), who maintains that:
"three people who have eaten together at the same table and have not said (during the meal) even a single word of Torah, it is as if they had eaten sacrifices offered to the dead, according to what is said: all tables devoid of G-d are full of filth and vomit (Isaiah 28)."
However, three people who have eaten at the same table and have spoken about Torah, it is as if they had eaten from the divine table, according to what is said: “and the Lord said to me – this is the table that is before the Lord”.
From this maxim one learns the rule of “zimun”, namely the invitation to recite the Birkat ha-Mazon, which is performed when there are at least three men sitting to eat; from what is this derived?
From the fact that it is said that they have eaten and not that they eat (that is, in the past tense and not in the present) and from the fact that the maxim says “at the same table”, meaning they must perform the action of eating at the same time.
From this it is reaffirmed that the importance of the table where one eats is of absolute significance; because, both in a negative sense – where Torah has not been spoken of, it is compared to the altar of sacrifices of the dead, and in a positive sense – it is compared to the divine table.
Therefore the action of eating can make us similar to animals or can elevate us to high spheres, depending on our behaviour.
As Jews we have the duty to make a material action into something particularly sacred.