More Discussions for this daf
1. Souls etc. 2. Saying a Berachah on harmful things 3. rachmana
4. Mushrooms 5. Brit of Salt 6. Bring The Salt
7. Dipping bread into salt 8. Nusach of Berachos 9. נימא רב הונא דאמר כר' יוסי
DAF DISCUSSIONS - BERACHOS 40

Robert Karr asked:

Daf 40 in first tosofot we learn about the importance of the bris of salt that protects us.

What is meant here?

Thanks for your prompt attention to this question.

The Kollel replies:

Tosfos reference to 'B'ris Melach' is based on the Pasuk " ... and do not omit Melach B'ris Elokecha from your flour-offerings" (Vayikra 2:13).

If we bear in mind that the table is compared to the Mizbei'ach, bringing the B'ris Melach right into our homes, the following will help us understand exactly what Tosfos means.

Please excuse the brevity, but time does not allow me to elaborate.

Rashi already refers to the covenant that Hash-m made with the salt at the creation. He is referring to the lower waters, which complained that they had to remain in lowly earth, whilst their sister (the upper waters) was placed in the Heaven. So Hash-m promised them that they would accompany every Korban on the Mizbei'ach and also be poured on it in the form of Nisuch ha'Mayim on Succos.

Rabeinu Bachye adds that following the sea's query as to what spiritual role it was to play in the world, seeing as the Torah was given in the Desert and the Beis-Hamikdash was built on the land , Hash-m replied that Yisrael would bring salt (from the sea) on the Mizbei'ach.

The Malbim explains that it is salt which prevents the sea-water from going bad, and what's more he says, it strengthens the human body too (as it is the salt in the body that enables the bones to stick together). In brief, salt is the source of preservation.

Salt itself, is not very tasty, yet it makes everything else tasty (which is symbolic of the Midas ha'Chesed on which the world is based).

And another of salt's virtues is the fact that on the one hand it preserves food, while on the other it destroys (like it did in S'dom). It thus possesses a combination of qualities of Din and Rachamim, the two Midos which Hash-m employs in running the world.

Perhaps I ought to add that salt itself, just as it preserves others, is also self-preserving in that it lasts and never goes bad. This symbolizes the covenant that Hash-m made with K'lal Yisrael that will live forever, and outlast all those who try to destroy them.

Refer to R. Bachye, Malbim and K'li Yakar for more details.

Kol Tuv,

R. Eliezer Chrysler