Each year, before Passover, I take a critical look at my refrigerator. Especially at the shelf on the inside of the door, which has accumulated jars of relish, mustard, ketchup, marinade, salsa and horseradish. What a sign of wasteful affluence, I think. Today, however, I have changed my mind.

To feed his guests, Torah says, “Avraham took a bull, tender and good” (Genesis 18:7). Our Talmudic sages ask: Why does Torah add two adjectives to the noun “bull”? Rav says: Avraham took three bulls. Rav Hanan bar Rava says: Avraham fed his guests three tongues with mustard (Bava Metzia 86b).

Though I imagine Avraham’s New York Style Deli at Mamre, another Talmudic passage explains the symbolic significance of the meal. Rav Chisda says: The priestly portions of meat are to be eaten roasted with mustard. An editorial voice adds: Torah describes priests as anointed. Kings, who are anointed, eat roast meat with mustard (Chullin 132b).

Still, I’m not the only modern American reader to embrace the deli interpretation. Rabbi Yissocher Frand asks: If we would not expect to find pickle relish in the refrigerator of a great contemporary spiritual leader, why did Avraham Avinu have mustard in his refrigerator? Rabbi Avraham Pam, z”l answers: Avraham is a giant of kindness. Although he does not need mustard, the average guest coming down the road does want mustard. Avraham feels that he must be prepared for that guest (torah.org).

Rabbi YY Jacobson adds his own midrash based on Hasidic sources: The guest angels were looking for a man of celestial vision, but instead they found someone running around with deli meat and mustard. They then realized that the authentic majesty of human holiness lies in everyday acts (theyeshiva.net).

Such as – I now know – keeping a refrigerator shelf filled with condiments.