Midreshet Amit

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The Jewish People are finally free. This Parsha is a turning point in Jewish history. We would think that once the Jewish people were free, everything would be going great for the Jewish people, but the first thing we hear are complaints. Complaints about water, food, and wanting to go back to Egypt. How could the Jewish nation start complaing so soon after their redemption? Did they lack faith that quickly? We just read in אז ישיר that they were believers! One must look at who the people were complain to: It was to Moshe alone-- twice, and Moshe and Aaron together once. They did not once complain to Hashem. Moshe didn't take them out of Egypt why are they complaing to him?

From Bnei Yisrael's perspective, they turn to Moshe and not directly to Hashem because they have only seen one side of Hashem-- his powerful side that acts miraculously to afflict and save. They saw Hashem's big agenda to get his name out in the world, but three days later once they were redeemed, they did not see anything miraculous, and questioned-- is Hashem with us? They turn to Moshe, who has been with them and carried out the salvation, and say to him, “are we too small for Hashem's divine intervention now? " Moshe opens their eyes and answers: why are you complaining to me? Hashem is the one who has done all of this! He cares about you!
After Hashem gave Bnei Yisroel sweet water he says אני ה׳ ראפך-- I don't just do miraculous miracles I also provide for all your needsץ He gave them food to make it known to them that Hashem is YOUR and OUR God! Hashem tells Moshe to take his staff that he used to hit the Nile and to bring מכה דם, and use it to give Bnei Yisrael water. Hashem does this purposely as throw back in time to show that the God who does miracles in Egypt is the same God who wants to sustain us!

However, we can ask the obvious question: why did Hashem wait so long to give them food and water? HaShem wanted to test them and see who they will turn to. Hashem doesn't care if we complain, but who do we complain to? When we are scared and uncomfortable, don't complain and rely on moshe. Complain to Hashem-- he's always listening. The test is if we realize Hashem's presence with us.  We discover this week that God is our creator, sustainer, and giver. He is our giver seeking a relationship with us. How do we reciprocate? Hashem tells us specifically תשמע...והישר בעניו תעשה ואזנת למצותיו ושמרת כל חקיו-- we have to listen, follow, and, obey His commandments. Just like we do certain things for our friends, spouse, and co workers to show that we care and are committed to the relationship, so too Hashem tells us that we must trust him and do certain things to show him that we care, love and are committed to him. We should always strive to have Bitachon in Hashem and realize that we must strive to do our best and put the rest in Hashem’s hands. We must have faith and trust that he will help us, and that he is doing everything to us for a reason. When we are struggling with something big or small, we must take action in our own hands and do whatever we can to help our situation. Yet, simultaneously we must surrender to Hashem and seek his help. Once we are in the wagon, Hashem's ride, put the baggage down and enjoy the ride. We are in the wagon anyway-- Hashem is in control -- we can put the worries down and enjoy the ride. We see that Bnei Yisrael has to submit to Hashem. He controlled and still controls our food, water, and sleep. We should always recognize his hand in our world and call to him with whatever we need!

An additional is addressed by Nechama Leibowitz. The Midrashim say that the Manna tasted like anything a person wanted. What does that mean? We see specifically in the text that it tasted like oily honey dough. I have a few suggestions to what the Midrashim were trying to portray.  Bnei Israel saw meat and produce in Egypt and either, according to rebbe Eliezer, they got to go to the market and take what they wanted, or the Midrash says that they didn't eat meat as a slave, but smelled the amazing scents. Since they were slaves they couldn't eat meat. Bnei Yisrael thought that now that they are redeemed they would be able to eat very well-- how the Egyptians ate.
I think that when the midrash is saying Manna tasted like anything they wanted, they meant to show us that they are free and Hashem is sustaining them with this miraculous gift--food from the sky. The Manna just came with no preparation and it sustained them and enabled them to survive for 40 years. What an amazing miracle!
The Midrash gives us this picture that it was anything they wanted in order for us to understand how great and sustaining it was. It is as if we were living on our favorite foods!
Shabbat Shalom.