In BeShalach,this week’s Torah portion, we read about the Israelites’ preparation for the first Shabbat in the desert. There we read:
22 And it came to pass that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 And he said to them: ‘This is that which the Lord has spoken: Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Shabbat to the Lord. Bake that which you will bake, and see that which you will see; and all that remains over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.’ 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses asked; and it did not rot, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said: ‘Eat that today; for today is a Shabbat to the Lord; today you shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the Shabbat, in it there shall be none.’ 27 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people to gather, and they found none. ( Exodus 16: 22-27)
Usually the Manna from one day would be rotten the next, but here on Shabbat it kept from Friday to Saturday. What do we learn from this miracle inside a miracle? God made the manna, why is it a big deal that God made special Manna on Friday with preservatives?
Recently I got a e-mail from a dear college friend who shared with me the recent conversation she had with her child who is about to turn four years old.
Child: Is Israel the most beautiful part of the country? Parent: Which country? Child: This country. Parent: Israel is its own country. It’s a different country in the world. Child: Is it the most beautiful country in the world? Parent: It is a beautiful country but there is no one most beautiful country. Lots of countries are beautiful and Israel is one of them. Child: Does the sun shine on the holy temple and make it shine? Parent: Where did you learn about the Holy Temple? Child: I don’t know. I just know about it in my mind. Does the sun shine on it? Parent: Yes. The stones are white so when it is sunny, it looks like it is shining. Child: Is the Holy Temple where Israel makes Shabbat? Parent: What do you mean, “make Shabbat”? Child: Is the holy temple where people in Israel make their Shabbat? Parent: Well, everyone can make Shabbat wherever they live, just like we make it at our house with the Shabbat family you invite each week. Child: Well, where is Shabbat made in our country? Parent: Well, Shabbat doesn’t come from a factory. It’s something each family can make on their own each week. Child: Well, where does it come from? Parent: (growing desperate) Well, it’s like a present from God. Child: I know! God lives really high up. On top of space. He sends the astronauts to earth with Shabbat and its a gift from God. He gives Shabbat to us and Christmas to Christians, but they don’t get Shabbat and we don’t get Christmas. Parent: That’s right. Each religion has its own special presents and fun times. Child: The Shabbat family are angels from God. They bring Shabbat to us each week and they live with us and I bring them into the house. They love coming to our house. Parent: That’s a nice way of thinking about it. Child: Where is the guitar for Rock star Elmo? My sister wants to know for Elmo’s band. Scene.
Said to Myself 
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