As my kids were about to take that first bite into my mouthwatering burger, my son Zachary looked at me and said, Dont bother me, Im eating, mimicking the popular Carls Jr. advertisement on TV.

He then proceeded to take a huge bite, thoroughly pleased with the knowledge that he was copying the TV ad.

I thought about it for a moment, and realized that the commercial he was imitating is entirely un-Jewish.

Jews should be bothered while they are eating. According to Pirkei Avot, a section of insightful statements from the Talmud, a meal where no Torah is spoken or discussed is considered a blasphemy, a Chillul HaShem, or desecration of Gods name.

It is entirely appropriate, and in fact, preferred, to discuss, to engage, and to debate at a meal. As far as Im concerned, as long as the family is dining together, the Shechinah, Gods divine presence, is present at that meal.

In our harried and fast-paced times, it is difficult to get the family together for one meal per week, let alone one meal per day. That is why Judaism is so brilliant, because it ordains that a candle-lit meal be enjoyed by the entire family each and every Friday evening.