Everyone’s Personal Table Can Be Mechaper

The Gemara in Berachos (54b) teaches a fundamental idea that should empower us to approach our meals as more than just a time to enjoy gustatory pleasure.

As long as the Beis HaMikdosh was standing, offerings on the mizbe’ach served to atone for the sins of Klal Yisroel. One could receive kaporah by bringing korbanos. To our dismay, we no longer have a mizbe’ach upon which to offer korbanos. The Gemara teaches that although we are lacking the Beis HaMidosh and the mizbe’ach, we still have the means by which to be granted kaprah: Every person’s table can provide atonement. Every home’s table can affect kaporah.