Devar/5770/Beshalach
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Then said the LORD unto Moses: 'Behold, I will cause to rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or not. (Ex 16:4)
What is the test? God gives them fresh bread every single day (even though He doesn't give it out on Shabbat, he gives a double-portion on Friday for the sake of Shabbat). What is the connection between this 'bread', and His desire to test "whether they will walk in My law, or not"?
One test is that they had never encountered this bread. There was never anything like it. Therefore: they said one to another: 'What is it?'? (ibid 15). This 'bread' which God said He would rain upon them so they could eat, was an unknown entity. They were not sure if it was possible to survive on it for an extended period -- and therefore, the test is: will they trust God's word?
A second test is the 'second bread' which came down on Friday. For six days they witnessed the same scenario: whenever they tried to put some of the bread aside for the next morning, it bred worms, and rotted (ibid 20). How would the second bread remain fresh and edible for Shabbat, unless they were able to collect it also on that day? Again, the test is: will they trust God's word?
A third test is the familiarity which breeds contempt. For forty years they wander in the wilderness, and on every single day -- for forty years! -- they eat the "manna". Our Sages say that it had various flavors -- but according to the simple reading of the Torah, they ate the very same food for all those years. At a certain point they got sick of it and complained about the "worthless bread". Because they did not see an end to their wandering in the wilderness, and they didn't know when they would arrive at the Land which God had promised their forefathers. Again: would they trust God's word?
These are all really one test: to know whether or not they would walk in His path. Because one who doesn't believe in Him and His words, is not worthy of seeing the good which is kept hidden for the righteous in the World to Come, nor to reap benefit in this world from performing His commandments. Because He, may He be blessed, separated us from the other nations to serve Him -- not for any other reason. If we do not fulfill His will, then for what purpose were we born? Rather, we must always keep in mind that He fulfills His words, and we must not only trust Him, but we must also walk in His ways.
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