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Exodus 16:35 - Divine sustenance in wilderness wanderings

Exodus 16:35 - שמות 16:35

Hebrew Text

וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָכְלוּ אֶת־הַמָּן אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה עַד־בֹּאָם אֶל־אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת אֶת־הַמָּן אָכְלוּ עַד־בֹּאָם אֶל־קְצֵה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן׃

English Translation

And the children of Yisra᾽el did eat the manna for forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they did eat the manna, until they came to the borders of the land of Kena῾an.

Transliteration

U'vnei Yisrael achlu et ha-man arba'im shana ad-bo'am el eretz noshavet et ha-man achlu ad-bo'am el ketzeh eretz Kena'an.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָֽכְל֤וּ אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה עַד־בֹּאָ֖ם אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ נוֹשָׁ֑בֶת אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אָֽכְל֔וּ עַד־בֹּאָ֕ם אֶל־קְצֵ֖ה אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃
וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָֽכְל֤וּ אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה עַד־בֹּאָ֖ם אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ נוֹשָׁ֑בֶת אֶת־הַמָּן֙ אָֽכְל֔וּ עַד־בֹּאָ֕ם אֶל־קְצֵ֖ה אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Miracle of the Manna

The verse (Shemot 16:35) describes how Bnei Yisrael ate the mann for forty years in the wilderness until they reached the borders of Eretz Canaan. Rashi explains that the manna was a miraculous food provided by Hashem to sustain the Israelites during their journey through the desert. It was given daily as a test of their faith, teaching them to rely entirely on Divine providence.

The Duration of Forty Years

The Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that the forty-year period corresponds to the time decreed for the generation that left Egypt to wander in the desert due to the sin of the spies (Bamidbar 14:33-34). The manna ceased only when they entered Eretz Yisrael, as stated in Yehoshua 5:12. The Midrash Tanchuma (Beshallach 22) teaches that the manna was given in the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu and ceased after his passing, symbolizing the end of an era.

Spiritual Significance of the Manna

  • Divine Nourishment: The Talmud (Yoma 75b) describes the manna as "bread from heaven" (לחם אבירים), possessing unique spiritual qualities. It was absorbed entirely by the body, leaving no waste, symbolizing purity and Divine sustenance.
  • Equal Portions for All: The Mechilta (Beshallach 4) emphasizes that whether one gathered much or little, everyone received the same measure (עומר לגולגולת), teaching the principle of equality before Hashem.
  • Test of Faith: The manna melted if left overnight (except before Shabbat), reinforcing daily trust in Hashem’s providence (Shemot 16:19-20).

Transition to Natural Sustenance

The Sforno comments that the manna stopped when Bnei Yisrael reached "an inhabited land" (ארץ נושבת), indicating their transition from miraculous sustenance to natural agricultural labor in Eretz Canaan. This shift marked the beginning of their responsibility to work the land while recognizing that all sustenance ultimately comes from Hashem (Devarim 8:3).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 75b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the miraculous nature of the manna and its cessation when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan.
📖 Sotah 48b
Mentioned in the context of the blessings that ceased with the death of certain righteous figures, paralleling the cessation of manna when entering Canaan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the manna that the Israelites ate for 40 years?
A: The manna was a miraculous food that Hashem provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. According to Rashi (Exodus 16:4), it was a heavenly bread that fell each morning except on Shabbat, teaching the people to trust in Hashem's daily provision. The Talmud (Yoma 75b) describes it as having different tastes for each person who ate it.
Q: Why did the Israelites eat manna for exactly 40 years?
A: The 40 years correspond to the time the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness as a consequence of the sin of the spies (Numbers 14:33-34). The Midrash (Mechilta Beshalach 3) explains that the manna sustained them throughout this period of Divine judgment until they were ready to enter Eretz Yisrael.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the manna today?
A: The manna teaches us to have bitachon (trust) in Hashem's providence. As Rambam writes (Moreh Nevuchim 3:12), the manna came in exact daily portions to train the people to rely on Hashem each day. This reminds us today that our sustenance comes from Hashem, and we should trust in Him rather than excessive worry about material needs.
Q: Did the manna stop falling immediately when they entered Israel?
A: According to Rashi (Joshua 5:12), the manna actually stopped falling on the 16th of Nissan, the day after Pesach when they first ate from the produce of Eretz Yisrael. This showed the transition from miraculous sustenance to natural means of livelihood in their own land.
Q: Why does the verse mention both 'inhabited land' and 'borders of Canaan'?
A: The double language teaches that the manna stopped at two points: 1) When they reached inhabited areas where normal food was available (Rashi), and 2) When they actually crossed into Eretz Yisrael (Ibn Ezra). This emphasizes that the miracle was only necessary in the wilderness.