Two spiritual giants show how discipline, Torah, and generosity conquer earthly cravings and draw divine mercy.
The Torah describes Rebecca’s turbulent pregnancy as carrying ge’im—twin “giants,” spiritually immense souls destined to shape nations. Our sages revealed a breathtaking hidden layer: these “giants” hinted prophetically to Rebbe—Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi—and Antoninus, the Roman emperor who became Rebbe’s confidant and spiritual student (Avodah Zarah 11a).
Their legendary friendship transcended political power, culture, and empire. Rebbe, prince and chief rabbi of Israel, guided Antoninus in ethics, spirituality, and piety. Their combined wisdom, influence, and wealth earned them the title of “giants” not because of material riches alone, but because of how they spiritually elevated materiality.
The Talmud notes that radishes and lettuce—two vegetables that normally cannot grow together in the summer heat—never left their tables. Their wealth made it physically possible, but the sages’ true message lies deeper: these two foods hold profound symbolism about humanity’s struggle with temptation.
The Food Trap: Adam’s Legacy of Craving
Before Adam’s sin, food was meant to be divine—like the Manna—effortless, spiritual, and flavor-infused directly from Heaven. Humanity would have eaten with no desire for earthly gratification.
But once Adam fell, food became entangled with physical temptation. Our base instincts—symbolized by salivating like animals—pull us toward indulgence rather than purpose. Thus the sages said: “Mealtime is wartime.” Every meal becomes a spiritual battlefield.
The Path of Elevation
To rise above this animal impulse, our sages offered two tools:
- Fill the table with Torah.
By learning or sharing Torah during meals, we transform physical eating into holy service. - Leave room for the needy.
Keeping food on the table in case someone hungry arrives turns eating into an act of kindness.
When Torah or generosity takes center stage, we invite G-d to our table—His portion is the spiritual elevation and kindness, not the food itself.
Sweetening Harsh Judgment
Every meal awakens a reminder in Heaven of humanity’s fall—the bitterness of Adam’s sin. But when we sanctify the meal, we “sweeten the judgment.” The groan when someone starts a Torah thought or the discomfort of waiting for a hungry guest is the inner animal resisting holiness. Overcoming that resistance breaks the prosecuting angels’ claims.
This is why the table is called an altar—it atones through mindful eating, Torah, and kindness.
Radishes and Lettuce: Decoding the Sage’s Message
Now the secret becomes clear:
- Radishes symbolize din—harsh judgment.
Bitter, sharp, unavoidable. Every table begins with judgment. - Lettuce—chasa—symbolizes mercy and lovingkindness.
Chasa = compassion (chas rachmana alan).
Its gematria equals chesed—kindness.
Thus, the sages weren’t describing wealth. They were describing spiritual mastery:
Rebbe sweetened judgment with Torah.
Antoninus sweetened judgment with kindness to the poor.
Together, radishes + lettuce = judgment transformed by mercy.
That is the true legacy of the “giants” foretold in Rebecca’s womb.
