One of the central Temple vessels is the golden Table for the Showbread (lehem ha-panim), which stands within the Sanctuary itself, on the north side. It is also known as the Table of Faces. I find this interesting because it stands on the north side and YHVH’S throne is said to be in the north. It contains the bread, as Yeshua is the “bread from Heaven.” Each loaf was made of two-tenths of an ephah of flour. Incense was placed alongside the loaves. The priests consumed the old loaves each week. The table it lies on is constructed of wood overlain with gold. The specific instructions for its design are in Exodus 25. The Priests are commanded to see to it that the 12 loaves of bread (12 tribes) are constantly displayed before the presence of YHVH. You shall place showbread before me at all times, (Ex 25:30) hence the name “showbread.” In every area where we obey YHVH’S will, it becomes a channel through which he can bless us. This was especially so in the case of the bread to elicit his divine guidance. The Talmud describes that a miracle took place every week with the bread. When the Priests came to replace the bread with new loaves every Sabbath, they found the ones from the previous week had remained fresh and hot upon the table, just like when they were first baked.

This miracle was seen as a clear confirmation that the Divine Presence did indeed rest in this holy place. It is in this light we see the sages’ comment that when the Holy Temple stood, every area of human existence was similarly blessed by a corresponding aspect of the Divine service: The produce of the fields were blessed by the showbread and the omer offering; the yearly rainfall, on account of the water libations during the feast of Sukkot; clothing kept one warm in the merit of the priestly garments; the economy prospered because of the daily sacrifices. When the Temple was destroyed, all these benefits were discontinued, as recorded by the prophet Hagai: You have sown much and bring in little; you eat, but are not satiated; you drink; but are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves; but no one is warm; and he that earns wages earns them to put them into a bag with holes. But now YHVH has given us the true bread from heaven we can all put on the shelves of our hearts. So when someone remarks to you that you have a “heart of gold”, you can know it’s true because that’s where the “showbread” lies, on a vessel of gold!