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The Mahn, says Rav Dessler, was the greatest miracle – ever! It fell each day at one’s doorstep; it could taste like almost anything one imagined; & it was completely absorbed into the body, with no waste material at all.
So then what was "the affliction?" What was "the test?!"
One possible answer is that davka because it was so satisfying, so easily attainable, one had to be careful not to get TOO used to having everything handed to him on a silver platter! The nation would eventually have to enter Israel & work for a living, they would have to plant their seeds & grow their own food. While Hashem took extra-special care of us in the desert, His plan was for us to ultimately fend for ourselves & put in a hard day’s work to merit our Heavenly-sent parnasa.
The Gemara (Yoma 74b) gives two other reasons. Says Rav Ami, because the Mahn lasted for only one day (except for Shabbat) & then it deteriorated and became inedible, one had to trust that tomorrow a brand new miracle would occur, & the Mahn would fall yet again. This was a test of our emuna (or E-Mahn – A!), our faith in Hashem, as well as the ability to bless the Almighty for all that we currently have; rather than obsess over what might be lacking in our lives.
Rav Asi gives another explanation: Altho Mahn had a wide variety of tastes, it always looked exactly the same (like coriander seed with the color of crystal). The people saw the same food, day after day, & this bored them. They wanted the feel of food, the different colors, the different textures. Their test was to go beyond the visible, beyond the superficial aspect of the Mahn, & appreciate it as a miraculous "bite of Kedusha" that was a gift of G-d.
We don’t have Mahn anymore. But it seems to me that the tests engendered by this desert delicacy remain with us to this very day. Will we, who live in such luxury, still embrace the joy of honest work, the inner pride that comes from doing our fair share to contribute to society? Will we accentuate the positive, the blessings of here & now that Hashem gives us, without dwelling on what we might be missing? And can we finally learn to see beyond the superficial trappings, to perceive the inner soul & the holiness of the people & the things that surround us?
This, I suggest, is the test of every Mahn & woman.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
