Show me the Manna

Money money makes the world go round.  It drives blessings, it drives challenge, it drives people to the highest of heights and the opposite as well.

The more powerful something is the more opposition it has. When you see something really challenging and abused it is because it carries great power.  If we can uncover the power, we can do amazing things.

The Manna, mentioned in this week’s Parsha, carried the antidote to the money challenge.  The Manna required a tremendous faith.  This manifested itself in the fact that the Jews were not allowed to keep the Manna overnight – except for Shabbat when they collected a double portion on Friday (hence the two Challahs at the Shabbat table).

We work each day first and foremost to provide food and shelter for ourselves and our loved ones.  The leftovers go in the fridge and we try to keep money in the bank for a rainy day.

(During Covid people have taken to storing cans of food and saving cash in their mattresses.  An indication that on some level a deep fear can exist as to whether I’ll eat tomorrow.)

The Manna required that when going to bed, the fridge was empty. Nothing left. Only the faith that in the morning the Manna would be there again in time for breakfast.

Hashem was conveying a powerful message to us for all time.  Our livelihood and sustenance ultimately comes from Above.  We can’t get more than we’re allotted.  We can choose how to use it, for good or bad.  But it all comes from Hashem.

When we realize that the gifts in life, the money we possess is from Above, we are able to direct our intentions and uses of those funds to meaningful and worthwhile endeavors.

The material world is G-d’s world, so enjoy your blessings of money if you have received it.  But always direct your intention towards nobler purposes.

May you be blessed with abundant material so that we can turn the material into the G-dly and the Divine.

Good Shabbos!

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