Preserving His Portion
I once had the privilege of accompanying Father on a weekend visit to a Moroccan family. The opulence I observed left me wide-eyed.
The table was set in honor of Shabbat. It looked more like a king’s table, designed in grand style. The variety of foods served would put to shame the fanciest establishments of our times. This was an unheard of phenomenon in the ’70’s.
I glanced at my father, expecting to see some show of enthusiasm at this abundance in honor of Shabbat. But Father was not impressed at all. He ate the barest minimum necessary and then left to study Torah.
Father knew that his true table was set for him in Olam Haba. There, spiritual grandeur and wealth awaited him. He had no interest whatsoever in elegant foods. This is the highest level – to enjoy a minimal amount of physicality and to preserve one’s true pleasure for the World which is all good.
