share torah logo

Exodus 16:23 - Shabbat prep reveals divine wisdom

Exodus 16:23 - שמות 16:23

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם הוּא אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה שַׁבָּתוֹן שַׁבַּת־קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה מָחָר אֵת אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאפוּ אֵפוּ וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר־תְּבַשְּׁלוּ בַּשֵּׁלוּ וְאֵת כָּל־הָעֹדֵף הַנִּיחוּ לָכֶם לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת עַד־הַבֹּקֶר׃

English Translation

And he said to them, This is that which the Lord has said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath to the Lord: bake that which you will bake today, and what you will boil, boil today; and that which remains over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

Transliteration

Va'yomer alehem hu asher diber Adonai shabbaton shabbat-kodesh la'Adonai machar et asher-tofu efu ve'et asher-tevashlu bashlu ve'et kol-ha'odef hanichu lachem lemishmeret ad-ha'boker.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם ה֚וּא אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה שַׁבָּת֧וֹן שַׁבַּת־קֹ֛דֶשׁ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה מָחָ֑ר אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאפ֞וּ אֵפ֗וּ וְאֵ֤ת אֲשֶֽׁר־תְּבַשְּׁלוּ֙ בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֹדֵ֔ף הַנִּ֧יחוּ לָכֶ֛ם לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת עַד־הַבֹּֽקֶר׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם ה֚וּא אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה שַׁבָּת֧וֹן שַׁבַּת־קֹ֛דֶשׁ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה מָחָ֑ר אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאפ֞וּ אֵפ֗וּ וְאֵ֤ת אֲשֶֽׁר־תְּבַשְּׁלוּ֙ בַּשֵּׁ֔לוּ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־הָ֣עֹדֵ֔ף הַנִּ֧יחוּ לָכֶ֛ם לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת עַד־הַבֹּֽקֶר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Shemot 16:23) appears during the narrative of the mann (manna) in the wilderness, where Bnei Yisrael receive miraculous food from Hashem. Moshe Rabbeinu instructs the people regarding preparation for Shabbat, emphasizing that no mann would fall on the seventh day, and they must prepare their food in advance.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Shemot 16:23) clarifies that Moshe is teaching Bnei Yisrael the laws of Shabbat preparation. The phrase "שַׁבָּתוֹן שַׁבַּת־קֹדֶשׁ" ("a rest of a holy Sabbath") indicates that Shabbat is not merely a cessation from labor but a sanctified day of rest. Rashi explains that "אֵת אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאפוּ אֵפוּ" ("bake that which you will bake") means they should complete all baking and cooking before Shabbat begins, as these activities are forbidden on Shabbat itself.

Rambam on Shabbat Preparation

Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 30:5) derives from this verse the obligation of Hachana (preparation) for Shabbat. Since the mann would not descend on Shabbat, Bnei Yisrael had to prepare their meals beforehand. This establishes the principle that one must arrange all necessities—food, clothing, and other needs—before Shabbat begins.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Mechilta d'Rabbi Yishmael, Beshalach 4) elaborates that Moshe’s instruction was a test of faith. Bnei Yisrael had to trust that the mann collected on Friday would suffice for Shabbat, reinforcing the idea that Shabbat observance requires both practical preparation and emunah (faith) in Hashem’s providence.

Halachic Implications

  • Eruv Tavshilin: The Gemara (Beitzah 15b) derives from this verse the concept of Eruv Tavshilin, which permits preparing food on Yom Tov for Shabbat when the two coincide.
  • No Melacha on Shabbat: The prohibition of cooking and baking on Shabbat is rooted in this verse, as Moshe explicitly commands that these actions be completed beforehand.
  • Oneg Shabbat: The instruction to set aside leftovers ("הָעֹדֵף הַנִּיחוּ לָכֶם") teaches that one should prepare extra for Shabbat to enhance the joy and honor of the day (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 242:1).

Spiritual Lessons

The Kli Yakar (Shemot 16:23) highlights that Shabbat is not only a physical rest but a spiritual elevation. By refraining from mundane labor and focusing on Torah and avodat Hashem, we emulate the divine rest (שַׁבָּתוֹן) and sanctify time, as symbolized by the double portion of mann.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 74a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of Shabbat, specifically regarding the preparation of food before Shabbat.
📖 Shabbat 117b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of cooking on Shabbat and the preparation of food beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Exodus 16:23 teach us about Shabbat preparation?
A: Exodus 16:23 teaches the importance of preparing for Shabbat in advance. Hashem commands the Israelites to bake and cook their food on Friday (erev Shabbat) so they can rest fully on Shabbat. This establishes the halachic principle of 'Hachana' (preparation) for Shabbat, which remains central in Jewish observance today (Rashi on Exodus 16:23, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 242:1).
Q: Why does the verse mention both baking and boiling?
A: The Torah specifies both baking and boiling to teach that all types of cooking must be completed before Shabbat. The Talmud (Shabbat 34a) explains this includes any form of food preparation that requires heat. This forms the basis for the prohibition against cooking on Shabbat (Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat 1:5).
Q: What is the significance of the manna in this verse?
A: This verse relates to the miracle of the manna, where Hashem provided a double portion on Friday so the Israelites wouldn't need to gather food on Shabbat. The 'remaining' food refers to this extra portion that didn't spoil overnight, demonstrating Hashem's care in enabling Shabbat observance (Mechilta on Exodus 16:23, Ramban on Exodus 16:22).
Q: How does this verse apply to modern Shabbat observance?
A: This verse establishes the timeless principle that we must prepare all needed food before Shabbat begins. Today, this means completing cooking before candle-lighting time and using a blech or slow cooker to keep food warm without active cooking (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 253, Mishna Berura 253:1).
Q: What does 'Shabbaton Shabbat Kodesh' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'Shabbaton Shabbat Kodesh' means 'a restful rest, a holy Sabbath to Hashem.' 'Shabbaton' emphasizes complete cessation from work, while 'Kodesh' teaches that Shabbat is sanctified time set apart for spiritual connection (Rashi on Exodus 16:23, Sforno on Exodus 16:23).