The Earthenware Jar of Manna Kept for the Generations

"And Moses said to Aaron, Take a jar" (Exodus 16:33). This jar: one does not know of what it is made, whether of gold, or of silver, or of copper, or of iron, or of lead. Scripture therefore teaches, saying "one jar" [reading the unusual word as marking out a single distinct kind]: I spoke only of a vessel that stands out more than its fellow. And which is the vessel that stands out more than its fellow? You must say this is an earthenware vessel. "And put there a full omer of manna, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations" (Exodus 16:33-34). Rabbi Joshua says: for the fathers. Rabbi Eleazar of Modiin says: for the generations to come. Rabbi Yose says: for the days of Jeremiah. For Jeremiah used to say to Israel, Occupy yourselves with Torah. They said to him, If we occupy ourselves with Torah, from where shall we be supported? He brought out for them the jar of manna and said to them, Your fathers who occupied themselves with Torah, see by what they were supported. You too, if you occupy yourselves with Torah, in the end the Holy One, blessed be He, will support you. And this is one of three signs that Elijah is destined to reveal to Israel, and these are they: the flask of manna, the flask of water, and the flask of the anointing oil.