[Avodah] Eikev "...Not by bread alone does man live..."

[Cantor Wolberg]

8:3 "...Not by bread alone does man live, rather by everything that  
emanates from the mouth of God does man live."

There is an interesting metaphor here. As humans we must take in food.  
Nevertheless, we are told that we don't live to eat and what we put in  
our mouths is not nearly as important as the spiritual aspect of man —  
what comes out of the mouth of our Creator.  Also, "bread" refers to  
all materialism.  In regard to bread as food, we elevate the act of  
eating to a spiritual plane, first by the blessing that precedes the  
meal and the birkat hamazon that follows the meal. At the meal we are  
also supposed to talk words of Torah. So eating becomes a ritual and  
religious act and brings people together for the sake of God and His  
Torah. Likewise, the materialistic aspects of life should also be  
elevated to a spiritual plane. Hence, earning money gives us the  
opportunity to help those less fortunate. Having an education gives us  
the opportunity to implement our knowledge to better the world. And so  
the list goes on...
Incidentally, the word "companion" means etymologically "with bread."   
In other words, when we share our bread with others, we gain a true  
companion.

ri

Not by bread alone, are we ultimately fed
But by the word of God, which will lead us ahead.
rw

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