Witnessing (for Parshat BeShalach)

i
The Children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron.

Would we had died by the hand of HaShem in the land of Egypt, the people say, when we sat by the pots of meat, and when we ate our fill of bread: for you two have brought us out into this Desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

*
Then God sends the people manna—nourishment for their Desert life.

And when God promises that He will provide food, the Presence of HaShem appeared before the people.


ii
These people have watched God deliver the Ten Plagues.

They have seen God split open the sea, and drown the Egyptian army in it.

They have sung: Sing to HaShem, for He has triumphed.

*
But these are lofty things.

These are national things.

Hunger is a personal matter.


iii
God says: Each man is to gather the manna according to his own appetite, for himself and for those in his tent.

Each man's own hunger has its encounter with God.

Each man's family encounters God.

God says: I am the God Who even tends to each one of you.

*
It is in this relationship that the people find the Presence of HaShem.


________
Shabbat Shalom, Abe


Please pray for the recovery of Ahuvah Rachel bat Orah

Verses cited: Exodus 16:2-3,10,16
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