Gemara:

Berachot,  Chagiga,  Menachot 

Halacha:

Beit Hamikdash,  Three Weeks 

Machshava:

Beit HaMikdash 

Holidays:

Nine Days,  Tisha Bav 

Collections: R' Grunstein As If

References: Menachot: 97A ,  Chagiga: 27A ,  Berachot: 55A  

Description

A table resembles an alter as: 1) We get closer to people around a meal just like the Alter was a place for all Jews 2) We diminish part of the meal (for the destruction of the Temple, or just self-control) as we did when we gave part of our sacrafice to the Alter, Kohen etc' 3) The Prep for the meal (like washing hands) is like the prep before sacraficing