VOLUME 109 NUMBER 4
Shevat 16, 5784
January 26, 2024
PARSHAS BESHALACH
Candlelighting Time 4:56 PM

Of course, to discuss packaged eternity is somewhat of an oxymoron, but we will explain. The people enjoyed the Manna in the desert and actually it was an unusual item because it was not organic. As the Sages mention, it was the same ‘food’ that the angels ‘consumed,’ therefore it was not earthly, rather divine. Additionally, it did not have a particular taste but satisfied the desire of the consumer. There was no concern that anyone would go hungry because the Manna was available daily and enough was supplied on Friday for two days. In this manner, the nation was able to connect to Hashem in a way that we have no comprehension. Although, we know that our livelihood depends on Hashem’s benevolence, but that concept is sometimes challenging when a person is not faring well economically. Nonetheless, it is our obligation to reach that understanding and live according to that standard. 

Hashem commanded Moshe to store a sample of the Manna for later generations. Rashi cites the Midrash that in the times of the prophet Yirmiyahu people became lackadaisical in their Torah study. When they were reproached for their attitude they responded that they needed to work longer hours in order to support themselves. Yirmiyahu then presented them with the sample of the Manna from the days of Moshe and told them that just as Hashem took care of their antecedents and provided them with food so too, they should not ignore their obligation of Torah study and Hashem will arrange for them as well. Apparently that message hit home. And that lesson should resonate with us as well. In today’s somewhat daunting fiscal era we wonder how we will survive these times? And the response is that the Manna is the answer. Hashem took care of our family in the past and He will also assure us that we will be supported.

  Our Sages also teach us that the container of the Manna will be revealed in the future. It was stored for future generations and when the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed and the Aron was hidden under the floor of the second Beis Hamikdash, the Manna was concealed together with it. It seems that the Manna in its container was specifically buried together with the Aron. Why were they buried together? There is a common denominator that integrates these two items. The Aron did not physically consume space within the Mishkan or later in the Beis Hamikdash. Although it did have measurements, when the space wherein the Aron was calculated, it did not minimize the area of where it was placed! Similarly, the Manna was other worldly. It did not matter how much you collected because the amount that you brought back to your tent was always the same based upon the number of members of the household. Furthermore, whatever the person wanted to eat was billeted by the Manna. Surely, not of this world! Therefore, they were concealed together and will be displayed in the future when we merit the eventual redemption of our people from this exile which is daily depreciating. At that juncture as we depart from the global defectiveness, we will enter into a new era of worldwide peace, tranquility and perfection exceeding the limitations of our present situation.   

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

In describing the Manna, the people did not know what it was. And, of course, how could they since they had never encountered it before. Their lack of knowledge was indicative of our mindset that the essence of comprehension is that we do not grasp the totality of Hashem.          

S’FAS EMES

GOOD SHABBOS

THE WAR IS ALREADY OVER 100 DAYS LONG. THE END OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS NOWHERE IN SIGHT. WE DAVEN DAILY FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL THAT HASHEM SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROTECT THEM FROM OUR HORRENDOUS ENEMY. THURSDAY IS TU B’SHEVAT (THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SHEVAT) WHEN THE TREES BEGIN TO REJUVENATE AND THE SAP FLOWS THROUGH THE INNARDS OF THE TREE. THE WORLD IS AWAKENING AND WE ANTICIPATE THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THOSE TREES. IY’’H OUR NATION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND SURMOUNT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE MUST FACE.