A Miracle Every Day

B'shalach

Exodus 13:17-17:16

Précis: And when Pharaoh “had let them go” (b’shalach), the story of the Exodus from Egypt is concluded - almost. Carrying with them the bones of Joseph and the "spoils of Egypt," Moses leads the Israelites by way of the Red Sea. They cross the Sea ahead of Pharaoh’s pursuing army, which subsequently drowns as the Sea returns. Moses sings his triumphant Song of the Sea, and Miriam’s song of joy follows. The Israelites begin to murmur against Moses and Aaron because of a lack of food and water. God provides heavenly “manna” to eat and provides water as well.  The Shabbat is introduced as a day of rest, even before it appears in the 10 Commandments. In their first battle, with Amalek, the Israelites are successful as long as Moses’ hands remain in the air, and with the help of Aaron and Joshua (who support Moses’ arms), they prevail. 

Exodus 16:3 “If only we had died by the hand of the Eternal in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots, when we ate our fill of bread! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to starve this whole congregation to death.”

God has revealed His power at the parting of the Sea, led the People across, destroyed the Egyptian army, and demonstrated His supremacy. The people celebrate in song and dance, and then almost immediately begin to complain. The water is too bitter; God provides fresh water. There is no food; God responds and provides them with manna.

This strange food is not a simple gift. It comes with special instructions on gathering it, and bans the gathering of more than can be consumed in one day (except for the double portion on Shabbat). Rashi suggests that the daily gathering requirement is a continuing test of the People’s faith in God: will the manna appear again tomorrow?  Maimonides suggests that the real problem was that manna was the only thing the People had to eat, and the trial was the monotony of their diet (see Numbers 21:5, where they complain yet again).

But we can put a very different spin on the manna: it was not a test of faithfulness, nor a test of endurance. Rather, it was an opportunity to express thanks to God for providing sustenance each and every day. Viewed in this light, we can see that it is important to be thankful every day for that which we receive.