1)

As is well-known, Hashem created the world once, and from then, there are no new creations. How does that fit with the creation of the Manna?

1.

Targum Yonasan: Hashem actually created the Manna during the six days of creation 1 , and stored it away until the need to feed Yisrael in the desert arose. 2


1

See Pirkei Avos (5:6) which lists the Manna as one of the ten things that Hashem created Erev Shabbos at dusk.

2

Hence Hashem said "I will rain down Manna for you" and not 'I will create Manna for you'.

2)

Why does the Torah use the word "Mamtir" regarding the Manna?

1.

Ramban #1 (citing Ibn Ezra): Because it falls like rain 1 - Perhaps it even fell together with the rain. 2

2.

Ramban #2 (citing Targum Onkelos) and Targum Yonasan: It means simply to bring it down.

3.

Ramban #3: "Matar" and all its derivatives stem from the Lashon "Matara le'Chetz" - a target for the arrow - because whatever Hashem shoots down from the sky is comparable to an arrow that one shoots at the target. 3


1

As in Tehilim,1:6, and like we find in connection with the sulfur and fire that Hashem rained upon S'dom (See Bereishis 19:24).

2

Since when does it rain in Iyar?

3

See for example Tehilim, 78:27 (Ramban).

3)

Why does the Torah write here "Hin'ni Mamtir Lachem" (plural), and in Ki Savo Devarim, 28:12 "Yiftach Hashem L'cha (singular) es ha'Shamayim"?

1.

Ta'anis, 9a: Because the Pasuk in Ki Savo is discussing about rain, and Hashem will sometimes send down rain for an individual, th current Pasuk is discussing Parnasah, which Hashem will only sand down in abundance communaly. 1


1

See Torah Temiah, note 3.

4)

Why does the Torah refer to the Manna as "Lechem"?

1.

Ramban #1: Because they made cakes 1 out of it. 2

2.

Ramban #2 (citing Ibn Ezra and R'dak): The Torah refers to all food as Lechem. 3


1

Ramban: As the Pasuk writes in Bamidbar, 11:8 and in Tehilim (104:14) "Lehotzi Lechem min ha'Aretz", with reference to wheat.

2

And all kinds of loaves are called bread, irrespective of the ingredients (Ramban).

3

In which case, they asked for meat as well as bread, both of which Hashem granted them (See Pasuk 8 - Ramban). See for example, Vayikra, 3:15 & 21:6). See also Ramban's objection to this interpretation of these Pesukim. Refer also to 16:4:3.1:1.

5)

Why does the Torah refer to the Manna here as "Lechem", and in Beha'aloscha Bamidbar, 11:8 as "Ugos" (cakes of dough) and "ve'Tachanu" (it still needed to be ground)?

1.

Yoma, 75a: For the Tzadikim, it fell in the form of Lechem, for the Beinonim, in the form of Ugos, whereas for the Resha'im, it still had to be ground. 1


1

Refer also to 16:31:2:2.

6)

Why does the Torah write here "Veyzt'u ha'Am Velaktu" and in Beha'aloscha Bamidbar, Perek 11, once "u've'Redes ha'Tal al ha'Machaneh ... Yarad ha'Man alav" - in Pasuk 9, and once "Shatu ha'Am Velaktu" - in Pasuk 8?

1.

Yoma, 75a: For the Tzadikim the Manna fell outside their tents - "u've'Redes ha'Tal al ha'Machaneh ... Yarad ha'Man alav"; for the Beinonim -"Veyzt'u ha'Am Velaktu" and for the Resha'im - "Shatu ha'Am Velaktu" (they had to travel further afield in order to find it). 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 7.

7)

Why does the Torah describe the Manna here as "Lechem", in Pasuk 31 as "Shemen" and in Beha'aloscha Bamidbar, 11:8 as "D'vash"?

1.

Yoma, 75b: It tasted like bread to the young men, like a cake made with oil to the old people and like honey-cake to the children. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 5. Refer also to 16:31:2:1.

8)

Why does the Torah not mention the meat here, as it does in Pasuk 8?

1.

Ramban: Because, when recording a command and its execution, it is the way of The Torah to mention one of them and to omit the other. 1


1

As the Ramban explains often. Refer, for example, to 11:1:4:1.

9)

What test is the Pasuk referring to this time?

1.

Rashi: To see whether they would adhere to the various Mitzvos connected with the Manna 1 - not to leave any of it over until the morning, and not to go out on Shabbos to collect it.

2.

Ramban: Hashem was testing them whether they would follow Him despite the fact that the Manna (of which they had never heard before) appeared only on a daily basis, and they never had food for the next day. 2

3.

Rashbam: Since every day on an ongoing basis, they had to raise their eyes Heavenwards for their food, their Emunah in Hashem would increase. 3

4.

Seforno: To see whether now, that they were receiving their sustenance without any effort on their part, they would go in the way of the Torah. 4


1

See Sifsei Chachamim.

2

Thereby imbuing them with Emunah for the future (See Devarim 8:2 (Ramban).

3

As the Pasuk indicates in Devarim 8:2 (Rashbam).

4

Seforno: The Mechilta states, the Torah was only given to those who ate the Manna (since they had nothing to distract them from learning it).

10)

Seeing as "Himtir" implies from the sky, why does the Torah insert the words "Min ha'Shamayim"?

1.

Hadar Zekenim (in Bereishis 19:24): We learn that Hashem punishes Resha'im from the Heaven - like we find by S'dom, and bestows good to Tzadikim from the Heaven. 1


1

Hadar Zekenim, Ibid.: This can be compared to a man who is guarding an oven. He punishes his enemy with a hot spit-rod from the oven, and feeds his good freind hot bread from the same oven

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:
Month: Day: Year:
Month: Day: Year:

KIH Logo
D.A.F. Home Page
Sponsorships & DonationsReaders' FeedbackMailing ListsTalmud ArchivesAsk the KollelDafyomi WeblinksDafyomi CalendarOther Yomi calendars