The Israelites, fresh out of Egypt and sustained by miraculous manna in the desert, certainly did. And their grumbling, as recorded in Sifrei Bamidbar, offers a fascinating glimpse into human nature and divine response.
"(Bamidbar/Numbers 11:6) "And now, our souls are dry. There is nothing": R. Shimon said: They said: It (the manna) will burst our bowels. Can a mortal ingest and not expel!" They were literally being fed from heaven, yet they complained! They claimed the manna, this divine sustenance, would cause them internal distress. Can you imagine? But R. Shimon offers a counter-argument, pointing to Deuteronomy 23:14 about having a spade for covering excrement. He suggests that what they expelled was what they had acquired from Canaanite merchants, not the manna itself. As it says in Psalms 78:25, they "ate the bread of abirim" — bread that was absorbed in the eivarim, the limbs.
Then comes this intriguing passage: "Only to the manna is our eyes. (7) The manna was (round) like coriander seed, and it looked like crystal." It sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? Are they complaining about the manna or describing its beauty? The text tackles this head-on.
The passage in Sifrei Bamidbar cleverly asks if the same people who said, "Only to the manna is our eyes," also described its coriander-like appearance. The answer? No! It suggests a split narrative. The Israelites grumbled, "Only to the manna is our eyes," expressing their discontent. But then, the text says, the Lord "pacified" future generations, saying, "Come and see what they are grumbling to Me about — "The manna was like coriander seed — it looked like crystal!" connecting it to the precious materials described in Genesis 2:12, "And the gold of that land is good. There is the crystal and the onyx stone."
This is a classic example of what's sometimes called a "split referent" in biblical interpretation – where different speakers are implied within the same passage. The text goes on to give similar examples, highlighting how we need to be careful to understand who is speaking and what their intention is.
Take the example of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38:25, or the story of Sisera's mother in Judges 5:28-31, or even the Philistines' reaction to the Ark in 1 Samuel 4:8. In each case, the text highlights how different voices contribute to the overall narrative, sometimes expressing opposing viewpoints or intentions. It challenges us to listen closely and discern the nuances of each voice.
It’s a reminder that even within a single narrative, there can be multiple perspectives and hidden depths. The Sifrei Bamidbar uses these examples to illustrate a crucial point: Don't take things at face value. Dig deeper. Consider the context. Who is speaking? What is their motivation?
The text even recounts a rather graphic story about the Philistines being afflicted with hemorrhoids because of their arrogance, thinking God had run out of plagues. Their punishment was… well, let's just say it involved mice and internal organs. It’s a stark reminder that arrogance and ingratitude have consequences.
Then there’s the story of Boaz and Ruth. The yetzer hara, the evil inclination, tempts Boaz, but he resists, swearing an oath. It's another example of inner turmoil and the struggle to do what's right.
The passage circles back to the manna. Just as with the other examples, we're asked to consider the different voices at play. The Israelites complain, but God responds by highlighting the manna's beauty and value. It's a powerful reminder that even in our moments of doubt and complaint, there is still beauty and blessing to be found.
What does this all mean for us? Perhaps it's a call to cultivate gratitude, even in the face of challenges. To recognize the blessings in our lives, even when we're tempted to focus on what's lacking. And to listen carefully to the different voices within ourselves and in the world around us, striving to discern truth and meaning in the midst of complexity. Because, like the manna itself, life is often more nuanced and multifaceted than it appears at first glance.