share torah logo

Exodus 16:4 - Divine bread tests faith.

Exodus 16:4 - שמות 16:4

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה הִנְנִי מַמְטִיר לָכֶם לֶחֶם מִן־הַשָּׁמָיִם וְיָצָא הָעָם וְלָקְטוּ דְּבַר־יוֹם בְּיוֹמוֹ לְמַעַן אֲנַסֶּנּוּ הֲיֵלֵךְ בְּתוֹרָתִי אִם־לֹא׃

English Translation

Then said the Lord to Moshe, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will follow my Tora, or no.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe hineni mam'tir lakhem lechem min-hashamayim ve'yatza ha'am ve'lak'tu d'var-yom be'yomo le'ma'an anasenu hayelekh be'torati im-lo.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה הִנְנִ֨י מַמְטִ֥יר לָכֶ֛ם לֶ֖חֶם מִן־הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְיָצָ֨א הָעָ֤ם וְלָֽקְטוּ֙ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ לְמַ֧עַן אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּ הֲיֵלֵ֥ךְ בְּתוֹרָתִ֖י אִם־לֹֽא׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה הִנְנִ֨י מַמְטִ֥יר לָכֶ֛ם לֶ֖חֶם מִן־הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְיָצָ֨א הָעָ֤ם וְלָֽקְטוּ֙ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֔וֹ לְמַ֧עַן אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּ הֲיֵלֵ֥ךְ בְּתוֹרָתִ֖י אִם־לֹֽא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Divine Provision of Manna

The verse describes Hashem's promise to provide lechem min hashamayim (bread from heaven) to the Israelites in the wilderness. Rashi explains that the term hineni mamtir ("Behold, I will rain") emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of this miraculous sustenance. The manna was not merely food but a divine gift designed to teach the people reliance on Hashem.

The Daily Gathering as a Test

The instruction to gather davar yom beyomo (a certain portion every day) served as a spiritual test. Rambam (in Moreh Nevuchim 3:24) explains that this was to cultivate trust in Hashem's daily providence and discourage hoarding. The Talmud (Yoma 76a) notes that the manna would spoil if collected beyond the daily portion, reinforcing the lesson of bitachon (faith in divine sustenance).

The Purpose of the Trial

The phrase l'ma'an anassenu ("that I may test them") is interpreted by the Midrash (Mechilta Beshalach) as testing whether Bnei Yisrael would observe the mitzvot related to the manna, such as:

  • Not leaving any overnight (Shemot 16:19)
  • Not gathering on Shabbat (Shemot 16:26)
  • Collecting a double portion before Shabbat (Shemot 16:22)

The Sforno adds that this trial was to determine if they would follow the Torah's commandments even when their physical sustenance seemed uncertain.

The Manna as Spiritual Nourishment

The Zohar (2:62b) teaches that the manna was not merely physical food but contained sublime spiritual energy, sustaining both body and soul. The Or HaChaim notes that its heavenly origin symbolized the divine source of all sustenance and the importance of connecting physical needs to spiritual purpose.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 75b
The verse is discussed in the context of the manna from heaven as a divine provision and test for the Israelites.
📖 Sanhedrin 56b
Referenced in a discussion about the commandments given to the Israelites and the concept of divine testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'bread from heaven' mean in Exodus 16:4?
A: The 'bread from heaven' refers to the manna that God miraculously provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. According to Rashi, it was called 'bread from heaven' because it descended from the sky each morning to sustain the Jewish people during their 40 years in the desert.
Q: Why did God test the Israelites with the manna?
A: As explained in the verse itself and by Ramban, God tested the Israelites to see if they would follow His commandments regarding the manna - specifically whether they would collect only the daily portion (except before Shabbat) and trust in God's daily provision. This tested their faith and obedience to Torah.
Q: What lesson can we learn today from the manna story?
A: The Talmud (Yoma 76a) teaches that the manna teaches us to have faith in God's providence and be satisfied with our daily portion. Just as the Israelites had to trust God each day for new manna, we should trust that God provides what we need each day without excessive worry about the future.
Q: Why did the people have to collect the manna daily?
A: According to Rashi and the Midrash (Mechilta), collecting daily taught the Israelites to depend on God constantly and avoid hoarding out of lack of faith. The only exception was collecting a double portion before Shabbat, which taught them to honor the Sabbath by preparing in advance.
Q: How does the manna relate to Shabbat observance?
A: As explained in the Talmud (Shabbat 117b), the manna didn't fall on Shabbat, and a double portion fell on Friday. This miracle reinforced Shabbat observance by showing God's direct involvement in its sanctity and teaching the importance of preparing for Shabbat in advance.