
The Menorah, a source of illumination, represents Torah study.
The Shulchan, which according to Kabbalah is the source of material success, represents working to procure our Parnasa.
Both of these vessels stood in the sanctuary and the Torah tells us how they were positioned
"And you shall place the Shulchan on the outside of the curtain (to the Holy of Holies) and the Menorah opposite the Shulchan on the South side of the Mishkan. And the Shulchan should be placed on the north side".
In bringing the vessels in the sanctuary, the Torah first mentions the Shulchan and then the Menorah. However when fixing their position, the Torah describes the fixed position of the Menorah (on the south) before that of the Shulchan (on the north).
The Chasam Sofer learns a powerful lesson: our physical needs come before Torah study for without Parnasa one is not be able to learn. The Shulchan comes first.
But, the "fixing" of one's Parnasa (the Shulchan) is dependant on "fixing" times for Torah study (the Menorah). If we firmly "fix" times of regular Torah study, Hashem will "fix" a guaranteed and easily-procured Parnasa for us.
The Shulchan, which according to Kabbalah is the source of material success, represents working to procure our Parnasa.
Both of these vessels stood in the sanctuary and the Torah tells us how they were positioned
"And you shall place the Shulchan on the outside of the curtain (to the Holy of Holies) and the Menorah opposite the Shulchan on the South side of the Mishkan. And the Shulchan should be placed on the north side".
In bringing the vessels in the sanctuary, the Torah first mentions the Shulchan and then the Menorah. However when fixing their position, the Torah describes the fixed position of the Menorah (on the south) before that of the Shulchan (on the north).
The Chasam Sofer learns a powerful lesson: our physical needs come before Torah study for without Parnasa one is not be able to learn. The Shulchan comes first.
But, the "fixing" of one's Parnasa (the Shulchan) is dependant on "fixing" times for Torah study (the Menorah). If we firmly "fix" times of regular Torah study, Hashem will "fix" a guaranteed and easily-procured Parnasa for us.