B"H

Friday, Shevat 14, 5777 / February 10, 2017

As mentioned yesterday, in Parshat B’shalach, we read about some of the miracles which the Jewish people witnessed after leaving Egypt.

The first miracle was the splitting of the sea. Then we have the miracle of the daily manna, which was sent from heaven. The manna lasted for 40 years. Also, Moshe’s hitting the rock, which resulted in flowing fresh water for the entire congregation and their cattle, for the next 40 years.

The Manna came down each day. Moshe told them, “No one should leave over from one day to the next.” But, there were people who didn’t listen to Moshe and they did leave over. The Torah tells us, “It became foul smelling and bred worms.” Moshe was very angry with them for disobeying G-d’s commandment.

Every Friday they received a double portion of manna; for Friday and for Shabbat, as it didn’t come down on Shabbat. The mitzvah of Shabbat, although one of the Ten Commandments found in later in the Torah, was given to them even before coming to Mount Sinai.

Q.How long after the Exodus did they begin receiving the manna?

A. Exactly one month later. The Exodus was on the 15th of Nissan and they began getting the manna on the 16th of Iyar.

Q.What did they eat during that month?

A.G-d commanded them to eat matzot on the night before the Exodus. They had leftover matzah which they took with them. Also, on the day of the Exodus they had no time to bake their dough, so they put it on their shoulders and it was baked by the heat of the sun as they left Egypt. Between the matzah and the dough which baked on their shoulders, they had a supply of food for one month.

Q. Why didn’t G-d send them a supply of manna for a longer period of time? Why every day?

A. This was to instill in them faith in G-d. According to our sages, G-d wanted to strengthen their feeling of reliance and dependence on G-d, each and every day, to know that G-d provides for them.

Rabbi Yishmael states in the Midrash, "From this we learn, that whoever has what to eat today but says, 'What will I eat tomorrow?' lacks faith; for the Torah specifically says that the manna came down daily in order to see whether the people had faith in G-d or not."

Shabbat is Tu B’Shevat – Rosh Hashana L’Ilanot - New Year for Trees. 

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 4:56 / Shabbat ends: 6:02