B"H

Monday, Shevat 10, 5777 / February 6, 2017

One of the great miracles which G-d performed for the Jewish people after the Exodus, is in this week's Parsha, B'Shalach. The miracle of the manna - "bread from heaven" - which G-d provided for the people each day throughout their forty years in the desert.

The manna began one month after the Exodus. Until then they still had food which they took out of Egypt. On the fifteenth of Iyar their food supply was depleted and they began receiving a daily portion of manna from heaven.

Each day they received one portion of manna per person. On Friday they would receive a double portion of manna - for Friday and for Shabbat. Because the manna was testimonial to the holiness of Shabbat, some of the Shabbat customs are associated with the miracle of the manna.

* We use two Challot (Shabbat breads), to recite the blessing for the Shabbat meals. This symbolizes the double portion of manna which G-d sent each Friday in honor of Shabbat.

* The Shabbat Challot are covered. Just like the manna which was covered with a layer of dew. 

* It is customary to prepare a stew (some call it Cholent) which is placed on the stove before Shabbat in order to stay hot and delicious for the Shabbat afternoon meal. To remember the manna which came down Friday morning, yet, it remained fresh, warm and delicious throughout the Shabbat.

Today, the 10th of Shevat, is the Yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, sixth Rebbe of Lubavitch, of blessed memory. He told the following episode about his grandmother:

"When my grandmother was 18 years old she became very sick.  The doctors ordered her that due to her health condition; she must eat each morning as soon as she wakes up.   My grandmother did not want to eat before reciting her morning prayers.  So she decided to rise very early, recite her prayers, and eat after.  The lack of sleep which she missed as a result of this arrangement didn't help her health situation.

"When her father-in-law, my great grandfather, found out about this, he said to her: "A Jew must be healthy and strong.  Concerning the observance of the mitzvot, the Torah uses the expression: 'Live in them' which means one should bring life and vitality into the performance of mitzvot.  In order to perform mitzvot with vitality, one must be healthy, strong and joyful."  He instructed her to listen to the doctors and eat first and pray afterwards.  Then he said to her: "It is preferable to eat for the sake of praying rather than pray for the sake of eating!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

In loving memory of Lynn Cohen – Malka bat Yaakov.  Yartzeit was Tevet 26.

May her Neshama-soul rest in peace in Gan Eden. May her memory be a blessing.

Dedicated by her husband, Bert, & children, Erin, Amy, Robert & grandchildren.