There is a special connection between the manna that fell in the desert during the 40 years of wandering and Shabbos. There is a mystical quality within our means that can affect how we taste our food – that quality is love.
The manna was an extraordinary gift from the Holy One, blessed be He as it is recorded that He said, “Even before I gave you the mitzvos (10 Commandments) I provided their reward, (Exodus 16:5) ‘On the sixth day, when they prepare (for the holy Sabbath Day) what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.”. (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 19:2)
The very nature of the manna was unique to meet the tastes of every individual. We learn that, “Rabbi Yose bar Chanina said, “If you wonder about this thing, learn from the manna, as it would only come down according to the strength of each and every one of Israel: the young men would eat it like bread, as it is stated (Exodus 16:4), ‘Behold I will rain upon you bread from the skies, etc.’; the elders like a wafer in honey, as it is stated (Exodus 16:31), ‘and its taste was like wafers made with honey’ the sucklings like the milk of it’s mother’s breast, as it is stated (Numbers 11:8), ‘and its taste, was like the taste of, etc.’; the sick ones like fine flour mixed with honey, as it is stated (Ezekiel 16:19), ‘And My bread that I gave you, fine flour and oil I fed you’; and the idolaters tasted it bitter and coriander, as it is stated (Numbers 11:7), ‘And the manna was like coriander seed.’ “(Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9) The Holy One, blessed be He prepared the people with the physical and spiritual energy to receive the Torah as they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, Rabbi Yose bar Rabbi Chanina further said, “And since the manna which was one type switched to many types because of the need of each and every one, all the more so, the voice that had strength in it would change for each and every one, so that that they would not be injured, as it is stated (Exodus 20:18), ‘And all the people saw the voices.’” (Midrash Exodus Rabbah 5:9)
There was a man in the village who always seemed to be in good spirits. When Friday came he seemed to be surrounded by a holy light. Many would ask, “How can such a poor man be so happy?” Others wondered, “Is he so spiritual a person that his face should shine in this manner?”
In the village was a student who watched the poor man, who appeared to have no worries. One Friday evening, as the sun was setting and Shabbos was about to begin, he decided to follow him home and maybe learn the secret of the poor man’s cheerfulness.
The man entered a small hut with a battered old door and greeted his wife with a hearty “Good Shabbos!” Looking through the window, the young student saw very little furniture that reflected the poverty of the household. A wooden table was covered with a plain white cloth, and the two candles shed a warm glow. The man sang Shalom Aleichem, welcoming the angels to bring peace into his house for Shabbos. He looked at his wife, dressed in a plain blue dress with a lace collar, and smiled. He then sang Eishes Chayil (a Woman of Valor – Proverbs 31: 10-31). His wife seemed to be surrounded by a special light – the Shabbos Kallah (bride). Then he said to his wife, “Please bring the special wine.”
The wife brought two loaves of course, dark bread. He washed his hands and recited the proper blessing, then chanted the Kiddush – the blessing recited to sanctify the Sabbath Day. (If one has no wine, one may recite the Kiddush on bread.) After he ate some of the bread and offered some to his wife, he said, “We have never yet had such a fine wine! Can you please bring in the fish?”
Moments later, the wife served him a small portion of beans. “Mm!” he exclaimed, smacking his lips. “This fish is unusually delicious.” He sang a Shabbos song and said, “I’m ready for the soup.” The wife appeared with another dish of beans. The man complimented his wife, “This soup is exceptionally good.” He sang another Shabbos song and asked, “Can we have the roast meat and tzimmis?” His wife brought in a steaming dish. “How wonderful the roast meat and tzimmis are,” he said with a smile.
The young student reflected on all he had seen and heard, thinking, “The generation that wandered in the desert had the manna, a food from heaven, in which they could taste anything they wished. This man’s love for the Holy One, blessed be He, for Shabbos, and for his wife have enabled him to reach a level of spirituality so lofty that he can taste the finest delicacies in the simplest of foods.”
Is such a level of spirituality attainable? It is, but few realize the blessing as it is written, “Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; He rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. People ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.” (Psalm 78: 23-25)
May we all experience the love and joy that comes with Shabbos.
Tzimmes
2 sweet potatoes cut into thin slices |
½ cup packed brown sugar |
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2 potatoes cut into thin slices |
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon |
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2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices |
2 teaspoons ginger |
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2 Granny Smith Apples |
¼ teaspoon cloves |
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2 Granny Smith Apples,sliced |
¼ teaspoon nutmeg |
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1/2 Cup Golden Raisins |
1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt |
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½ to ¾ cup orange juice |
1/8-1/4 teaspoon pepper |
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1 cup water |
5-8 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz |
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½ cup honey |
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Grease a baking dish or Dutch oven
3. In a bowl, combine sweet potatoes, carrots and apples. Combine orange juice, water, honey, brown sugar, 1- 2 tablespoons margarine or shmaltz and spices; mix into vegetables.
4. Cover and bake for 2 hours or longer. Uncover; dot with remaining margarine or shmaltz.
5. After first hour, uncover and stir every 2o minute to prevent sticking.
6. Vegetables should be tender and sauce is thickened when done
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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