Shemot Rabbah turns to Manna as Bread from Heaven Earned Through Torah.
Here's a question: Why did the Israelites sing praises over the well but not over the manna? Seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?
The answer, according to Shemot Rabbah, lies in their attitude. Remember (Numbers 11:6)? "But now our soul is parched, there is nothing at all, other than the manna before our eyes." Ouch. Not exactly a glowing review, is it? They were complaining! God said, "I don't need your grumbling or your forced praise." They only earned the song for the spring because they appreciated it, as evidenced by (Numbers 21:17), "Rise, well, call to it." Their joy opened the gates of song.
The passage then shifts, drawing a connection between the manna and (Psalm 23:5): "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Imagine the scene: the Israelites, fresh out of Egypt, wandering in the wilderness. The nations around them scoff, predicting their demise. "Can God even provide for them in this desolate place?" they sneered, echoing the sentiment in (Psalm 78:19).
But what did God do? He had them recline under the Clouds of Glory – vayasev (וַיַּסֵּב), related to the word hesiban (הֵסִיבָן), meaning "He had them recline" – as described in (Exodus 13:18). He fed them manna, as (Deuteronomy 8:16) reminds us. And according to Shemot Rabbah, the manna was even more abundant than the waters of the Flood! The proof? (Psalm 78:23) says, "He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens," while (Genesis 7:11) mentions only "the windows of the heavens" during the Flood. The Sages believed doors had four windows (Yoma 76a). More openings, more abundance.
Can you picture it? The other nations looking on, mouths agape, as Israel reclined in comfort, feasting and praising God. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." The quail was their "anointing oil," and the spring, their "overflowing cup."
And it doesn't end there! The passage concludes with a vision of the future, a time when God will bring ultimate peace. The righteous will recline and feast in the Garden of Eden, while the idolaters look on, consumed by jealousy and fear, as (Isaiah 65:13) foretells: "Behold, My servants will drink and you will be thirsty, behold, My servants will rejoice and you will be ashamed."
What a powerful image! It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, with a little faith and a lot of gratitude, we, too, can find ourselves at a table prepared for us, even in the wilderness. So, next time you encounter a blessing, remember the manna and the well. Receive it with joy, sing its praises, and let gratitude be your guide.
Another matter, “behold, I will rain down bread for you.” That is what is written: “Come, partake of my bread, and drink of the wine I have mixed” (Proverbs 9:5). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘What caused you to eat of the manna and to drink from the spring? It is because you accepted the statutes and the ordinances, just as it states: “There He instituted for it statutes and ordinances…” (Exodus 15:25). It is due to the merit of My bread11This is a reference to the Torah, which is compared to bread (Matnot Kehuna). that you took the bread of the manna, and due to the merit of the wine that I mixed12This is a reference to the Torah, which is compared to wine (see Song of Songs 1:2; Etz Yosef). that you drank the water of the spring, as it is stated: “And drink of the wine I have mixed.”’ Why did they not recite song over the manna, just as they recited it over the spring? It is because regarding the manna they expressed derogatory statements, as it is stated: “But now our soul is parched, there is nothing at all, other than the manna before our eyes” (Numbers 11:6). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I seek neither your grievances nor your lauding,’ therefore He granted them permission to recite song only over the spring, because they were fond of it, as it is stated: “Rise, well, call to it” (Numbers 21:17). Another matter, “behold, I will rain down bread for you from the heavens,” that is what is written: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalms 23:5). When did the children of Israel state this matter? It was when they departed from Egypt and the nations of the world were saying: ‘These are destined to perish in the wilderness,’ and [Israel] said: “Is God able to prepare a table in the wilderness?” (Psalms 78:19). What did the Holy One blessed be He do? He had them recline [hesiban] under the clouds of glory, as it is stated: “God led the people roundabout [vayasev]” (Exodus 13:18), and he fed them manna, as it is stated: “Who fed you manna in the wilderness” (Deuteronomy 8:16). The height of the manna was higher than the waters of the Flood, as it is stated: “He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens” (Psalms 78:23), and regarding the Flood it is written: “And the windows of the heavens were opened” (Genesis 7:11).13Doors in the time of the Sages had four windows. Thus, if the waters of the Flood came through windows, and an unclarified plural term implies two, and the manna came through doors, the implication is that the manna was more plentiful than the waters of the Flood (see Yoma 76a). The nations of the world were seeing Israel reclining, eating, and lauding the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalms 23:5). “You anoint my head with oil” (Psalms 23:5), this is the quail. “My cup is full” (Psalms 23:5), this is the spring. Likewise, in the future, He will make peace for them, and they will recline and eat in the Garden of Eden. The idolaters will see their conduct and their manner,14Their hearts will melt due to jealousy or fear. as it is stated: “Behold, My servants will drink and you will be thirsty, [behold, My servants will rejoice and you will be ashamed]” (Isaiah 65:13).
