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Exodus 16:15 - Heavenly bread mystery?

Exodus 16:15 - שמות 16:15

Hebrew Text

וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמְרוּ אִישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו מָן הוּא כִּי לֹא יָדְעוּ מַה־הוּא וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֲלֵהֶם הוּא הַלֶּחֶם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה לָכֶם לְאָכְלָה׃

English Translation

And when the children of Yisra᾽el saw it, they said one to another, Man-hu (what is it?): for they knew not what it was. And Moshe said to them, This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.

Transliteration

Va'yir'u vnei Yisra'el va'yomru ish el achiv man hu ki lo yad'u ma hu va'yomer Moshe alehem hu halechem asher natan Adonai lachem le'achla.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּרְא֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו֙ מָ֣ן ה֔וּא כִּ֛י לֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּ מַה־ה֑וּא וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם ה֣וּא הַלֶּ֔חֶם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם לְאׇכְלָֽה׃
וַיִּרְא֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו֙ מָ֣ן ה֔וּא כִּ֛י לֹ֥א יָדְע֖וּ מַה־ה֑וּא וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם ה֣וּא הַלֶּ֔חֶם אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם לְאׇכְלָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Nature of the Manna

The verse describes the Israelites' reaction upon first encountering the manna, expressing their bewilderment with the phrase "מָן הוּא" (Man-hu), meaning "What is it?" Rashi (Shemot 16:15) explains that the manna was entirely unfamiliar—a miraculous substance unlike anything they had seen before. The Gemara (Yoma 75a) elaborates that the manna could take on any taste the eater desired, demonstrating Hashem's boundless kindness in providing sustenance tailored to each individual's preference.

Moshe's Clarification

When Moshe responds, "הוּא הַלֶּחֶם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן יְהוָה לָכֶם" ("This is the bread which the Lord has given you"), the Ramban (Shemot 16:15) highlights that Moshe was teaching them to recognize this as a divine gift, not merely natural sustenance. The Midrash (Mechilta Beshalach 4) adds that the manna was given in merit of Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam, emphasizing the role of righteous leaders in facilitating divine providence.

Spiritual Lessons of the Manna

  • Trust in Hashem: The manna was a daily reminder of complete reliance on Hashem, as it could not be stored overnight (Shemot 16:19-20). The Sforno (16:4) explains that this cultivated bitachon (trust) by forcing Bnei Yisrael to depend on Hashem each day.
  • Equality and Humility: The manna fell in equal portions for all (Shemot 16:17-18), teaching that material wealth is ultimately distributed by divine decree (Tanchuma Beshalach 22).
  • Test of Faith: The Mechilta (Beshalach 4) states that the manna was one of the ten tests in the wilderness, challenging the people to follow Hashem's commandments despite uncertainty.

The Manna as a Metaphor for Torah

The Baal HaTurim (Shemot 16:15) notes that the word "מָן" (manna) has the same gematria (numerical value) as "נשמה" (soul), alluding to its spiritual nourishment. The Zohar (Beshalach 62a) further compares the manna to Torah—just as the manna sustained the body, Torah sustains the soul. This aligns with Devarim 8:3, where Moshe teaches that manna symbolized living "by every word that comes from Hashem."

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 75a
The verse is discussed in the context of the manna that fell from heaven, exploring its nature and the Israelites' reaction to it.
📖 Chullin 89b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the humility of Moses and the Israelites' questioning of the manna.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Man-hu' mean in Exodus 16:15?
A: The phrase 'Man-hu' (מָן הוּא) literally means 'What is it?' in Hebrew. The Israelites saw the manna for the first time and didn't recognize it, so they asked each other this question. Rashi explains that they were amazed by this miraculous food that appeared each morning.
Q: Why did the Israelites not recognize the manna?
A: The manna was a completely miraculous food that had never existed before, so the Israelites had no frame of reference for it. The Midrash (Mechilta) describes that the manna could taste like any food a person desired, which made it even more wondrous and unfamiliar.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the manna in this verse?
A: The manna teaches us to trust in Hashem's daily providence. Just as the Israelites received exactly what they needed each day (except before Shabbat), we learn to rely on G-d for our sustenance. The Rambam teaches that this miracle established the principle of bitachon (trust in G-d) for all generations.
Q: How is the manna described in Jewish tradition?
A: Jewish tradition describes the manna as white (like coriander seed), sweet (like honey), and falling with the dew each morning (Exodus 16:14, 31). The Talmud (Yoma 75a) explains it could take on any taste the eater desired, showing G-d's kindness in providing both nourishment and pleasure.
Q: Why did Moshe explain that this was 'bread from Hashem'?
A: Moshe wanted to emphasize that this was not natural food, but a direct gift from Hashem to sustain them in the wilderness. Rashi notes that by calling it 'bread,' Moshe was teaching that while it looked unusual, it would serve as their complete nourishment just like bread does.