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Exodus 16:27 - Shabbat defiance brings emptiness.

Exodus 16:27 - שמות 16:27

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי יָצְאוּ מִן־הָעָם לִלְקֹט וְלֹא מָצָאוּ׃

English Translation

And it came to pass, that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, and they found none.

Transliteration

Vayehi bayom hashvi'i yatz'u min-ha'am lilkot velo matz'u.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י יָצְא֥וּ מִן־הָעָ֖ם לִלְקֹ֑ט וְלֹ֖א מָצָֽאוּ׃ <span class="mam-spi-samekh">{ס}</span>        
וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י יָצְא֥וּ מִן־הָעָ֖ם לִלְקֹ֑ט וְלֹ֖א מָצָֽאוּ׃ {ס}        

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Shemot 16:27) describes an incident during the period when Bnei Yisrael received the manna in the wilderness. Hashem had commanded that no manna would fall on Shabbat, and that a double portion would instead be provided on Friday (Shemot 16:22-26). Despite this clear instruction, some individuals went out on Shabbat to gather manna, but found none.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (ad loc.) explains that these individuals were the "meyasreifim" – a group of wicked people who consistently sought to test Hashem's word. Their actions demonstrated a lack of faith in Hashem's promise that no manna would be available on Shabbat. Rashi further notes that this group was the same one that later instigated the sin of the golden calf (Egel HaZahav).

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:32), Rambam discusses how this incident served as a test of faith. The absence of manna on Shabbat was meant to reinforce the sanctity of the day and teach Bnei Yisrael to trust in Hashem's providence. Those who went out displayed a failure to internalize this lesson.

Midrashic Insights

  • Mechilta D'Rabbi Yishmael (Beshalach 5) states that these individuals were "reshaim" (wicked) who deliberately violated Shabbat to challenge Moshe's authority and Hashem's commandments.
  • Shemot Rabbah (25:7) compares their actions to a child who tests a parent's boundaries, emphasizing how their behavior showed ingratitude despite Hashem's constant miracles.

Halachic Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 32) derives from this episode the importance of trusting in Hashem's commandments. Just as Hashem provided double portions before Shabbat, we are taught to prepare for Shabbat in advance (Eiruvin 100b) and refrain from melacha (forbidden labor) as a demonstration of faith.

Moral Lesson

This incident serves as a timeless lesson about the dangers of testing Hashem's word and the importance of complete faith (emunah sheleimah). The Kli Yakar (ad loc.) notes that their failure to find manna symbolizes how spiritual rewards cannot be attained through forbidden means – true sustenance comes only through proper adherence to Torah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 75b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the manna that fell for the Israelites in the wilderness, emphasizing that no manna was found on the Sabbath as a sign of its sanctity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did some people go out to gather manna on the seventh day?
A: Some people went out on Shabbat to gather manna despite being told not to, showing a lack of faith in Hashem's commandment. The verse teaches us the importance of trusting in Hashem's instructions, especially regarding Shabbat observance (Rashi on Exodus 16:27).
Q: What does this verse teach us about Shabbat?
A: This verse reinforces that Shabbat is a day of rest when no manna fell, emphasizing that we must refrain from work and trust in Hashem's providence. It teaches that Shabbat is a test of faith and obedience (Mechilta on Exodus 16:27).
Q: Why didn't they find any manna on the seventh day?
A: No manna fell on Shabbat because Hashem commanded a double portion to be collected on Friday. This miracle showed that Shabbat is holy and requires us to prepare in advance so we can rest properly (Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat 30:6).
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: We learn that keeping Shabbat requires planning ahead (like preparing meals before Shabbat) and complete trust in Hashem. Just as the Israelites had to rely on the double portion of manna, we must arrange our lives to honor Shabbat properly (Talmud, Shabbat 117b).
Q: How does this verse connect to the importance of following mitzvot?
A: This incident demonstrates that mitzvot must be followed exactly as commanded. Those who went out on Shabbat showed a lack of faith in Hashem's word, teaching us the importance of complete obedience to Torah laws (Sforno on Exodus 16:27).