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The Test of MannaTANAKH
The Test of Manna
TANAKH
The manna was not just sustenance but a divine test to see if the Israelites would follow God's instructions. The Torah describes how God provided manna from the sky to the Israelites in the desert, testing their obedience to His commandments.
The Miraculous MannaCOMMENTARY
The Miraculous Manna
COMMENTARY
The miraculous nature of the manna allowed other nations to experience its taste and recognize Israel's excellence. Rashi, in his renowned 11th-century commentary on the Torah, explains how the manna melted in the sun and was consumed by animals, spreading its miraculous taste.
The Hidden MannaMIDRASH
The Hidden Manna
MIDRASH
The prophet Elijah is believed to conceal and later restore sacred objects, including a vessel with manna, in the Messianic era. Louis Ginzberg’s early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, weaves together a vast array of Jewish folklore and biblical stories into a continuous narrative.
The Mystical MannaKABBALAH
The Mystical Manna
KABBALAH
Manna is not just physical sustenance but a divine process imbued with spiritual significance. In the 13th-century Kabbalistic work Sha'arei Orah, Rabbi Joseph Gikatilla explores the mystical dimensions of manna, connecting it to divine chambers known as Shechakim.
Divine Judgment through MannaKABBALAH
Divine Judgment through Manna
KABBALAH
The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, delves into the esoteric significance of the manna, a divine sustenance provided to the Israelites in the desert. In Zohar Beshalach 28:403, it explores how the manna was used as a measure to resolve disputes concerning household members.
The Jar of Manna and the ArkTALMUD
The Jar of Manna and the Ark
TALMUD
The placement of the jar of manna alongside the Ark of the Covenant is derived from a fascinating halakhic interpretation. The Talmudic tractate Keritot uses a verbal analogy between the words “there” in two different verses to explain why the jar of manna was kept with the Ark.
Moses' Instruction on Manna and the SabbathCOMMENTARY
Moses' Instruction on Manna and the Sabbath
COMMENTARY
Moses' failure to properly instruct the Israelites about the Sabbath laws related to gathering manna had significant consequences. The 16th-century Italian commentator Sforno provides a critical analysis of Moses' leadership and communication in his commentary on Exodus.
The Varied Taste of MannaCOMMENTARY
The Varied Taste of Manna
COMMENTARY
The manna, which sustained the Israelites in the desert, had a unique quality of tasting differently to different groups of people. Rashbam, a medieval Jewish commentator, explores the varied taste of manna in his commentary on Exodus, drawing on the Babylonian Talmud in tractate Moed Katan.
The Timing of MannaTALMUD
The Timing of Manna
TALMUD
The Babylonian Talmud, in tractate Berakhot 27a:9, explores the synchronized timing of the manna's collection and melting with the daily morning offering. It specifically notes that the manna would melt at the fourth hour of the day, corresponding to the rising of the sun.
The Miraculous Descent of MannaREFERENCE
The Miraculous Descent of Manna
REFERENCE
The miraculous process by which the Manna descended highlights the divine care and sustenance provided to the Jewish people in the desert. Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, a prominent sage from the Mishnaic period, offers a detailed account of the Manna's descent, emphasizing its miraculous nature in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, an eighth-century midrashic work.
The Effort Behind MannaCOMMENTARY
The Effort Behind Manna
COMMENTARY
The manna, though miraculous, required physical effort to gather and prepare, emphasizing the Israelites' daily labor in the desert. Ibn Ezra, a prominent medieval Jewish commentator, provides a detailed account of the process involved in collecting and preparing manna, highlighting its scattered nature and the manual effort required.
From Manna to the Produce of CanaanCOMMENTARY
From Manna to the Produce of Canaan
COMMENTARY
The transition from manna to the produce of Canaan marks a significant shift from divine sustenance to natural sustenance for the Israelites. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores this pivotal moment in Jewish history, highlighting its symbolic importance during the first Passover in the Promised Land.
The Symbolism of Covering the ChallahHALAKHAH
The Symbolism of Covering the Challah
HALAKHAH
Covering the challah on Shabbat serves as a symbolic reminder of the manna that sustained the Israelites in the desert. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, in his contemporary presentation of Jewish law, Peninei Halakhah, explains the spiritual and practical reasons behind this practice.
The Divine Nature of MannaTARGUM
The Divine Nature of Manna
TARGUM
The physical characteristics and sanctification process of manna reveal deeper insights into its divine nature. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Torah, provides additional context and elaboration on the biblical description of manna.
Longing for Egypt's DelicaciesSECOND TEMPLE
Longing for Egypt's Delicacies
SECOND TEMPLE
The Israelites, despite being miraculously sustained by manna, longed for the varied foods they had in Egypt. Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, explores the Israelites' dissatisfaction with manna and their nostalgic yearning for Egyptian cuisine.
Heavenly Flavors RevealedMIDRASH
Heavenly Flavors Revealed
MIDRASH
The rabbis offer vivid descriptions of the taste and texture of manna, making it relatable to familiar foods. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, provides these rabbinic interpretations.
Daily Bread from HeavenLITURGY
Daily Bread from Heaven
LITURGY
The miraculous provision of manna teaches us about daily reliance on divine sustenance. The 'Chapter of Manna' recounts the biblical story of manna, emphasizing how each person gathered exactly what they needed, and any excess would spoil by the next morning.
The Divine Sign of the SabbathJEWISH THOUGHT
The Divine Sign of the Sabbath
JEWISH THOUGHT
The cessation of manna on the Sabbath is a divine sign enforcing the observance of this holy day. In the 12th-century philosophical dialogue, The Kuzari, Rabbi Yehuda Halevi uses the biblical account of manna to emphasize the divine ordination of the Sabbath.
Manna's Secrets for ShabbatTALMUD
Manna's Secrets for Shabbat
TALMUD
The preparation for Shabbat is likened to the Israelites' collection of manna, emphasizing the importance of early preparation. The Talmudic tractate Shabbat draws a parallel between the double portion of manna collected on the sixth day and the obligation to use two loaves of bread during Shabbat meals.