A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas B’shalach
“Heavenly Bread”
After Krias Yam Suf, Hashem Yisborach responds to Klal Yisrael’s complaints for food by delivering them the mon. As a part of the process, He communicates to Moshe Rabbeinu what is to be an eternal lesson. The miracle of the mon was a six day per week experience. Rather than provide a bushel full of food to last for weeks, Hashem instructs v’laktu d’var yom b’yomo — Bnai Yisrael should gather (food) each day. This requirement is necessary, the posuk explains, l’maan annasenu hayeilech b’Torasi im lo — to test Klal Yisrael if they will follow the Torah or not.” Why, we may ask, the need of a test? Secondly, how is it connected to the mon? Finally it seems that this test is measuring emunah, why is it described in terms of hayeilech b’torasi — following the Torah?
The Mifarshim derive a powerful message from here. The most powerful measure of our commitment to Torah is found in our pursuit of parnassah — earning a livelihood. Too often, when it comes to the workplace, people make compromises in the standards Hashem demands from us in the Torah. It is as if they feel r”l that Hashem is unaware. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are reminded v’laktu d’var yom b’yomo lma’aan annasenu We must measure up to earn our keep every day. Even before Matan Torah, netzach Yisrael was being built on this maxim. The mon was distributed by Hashem and collected by the individual daily. Its flavor was determined by the values and taste of the recipient. And the amount of mon which was delivered and the effort needed to collect it was a reflection of the quality of hayeilech b’Torasi as measured by the mitzvos and maasim tovim performed by the individual the previous day. This reinforced a constant dependence on Hashem. It can help keep us motivated to be ever vigilant in “following the Torah” through our Mitzvah observance, and personification of middos tovos in the work place.
At the revelation at Sinai described in next week’s parsha, Hashem gifted us with the tools needed to reach the loftiest realms of kedusha. Mon, the Heavenly bread, teaches us that through the seemingly mundane earthly process of earning a living we must feel His presence. In so doing we can IY”H merit His presents; brachos of parnassah, life, health and Nachas from our children, ad meah v’esrim shana.
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