The centerpiece of a Jewish ceremony is usually a glass of wine. Weddings, circumcisions, kiddush on the Sabbath — all make use of wine, a symbol of joy.
The Talmud (Berachot 51a) teaches that this cup of wine should be filled to the brim: "Whoever says the blessing over a full cup is given a boundless inheritance" and "is privileged to inherit two worlds, this world and the next." The Sages derived this reward of a "boundless inheritance" from Moses' blessing to the tribe of Naphtali before his death: "He shall be filled with God's blessing, inheriting (land) to the west and to the south" (Deut. 33:23).
Why is it important to fill the ceremonial glass to the brim? Why should this act grant us boundless riches and an inheritance in this world and the next?
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