Epilogue to the Manna Story/1/en
Epilogue to the Manna Story
Introduction
In order to maintain thematic order, the Torah frequently concludes a narrative by appending descriptions of events which occurred only much later. The bulk of Shemot 16 recounts the first week of the miracle of the manna, detailing how it rained down on regular weekdays, the double portion which was collected on Fridays, and that it didn't come on Shabbat. Toward the conclusion of the chapter, however, several verses detail events which concern the future, raising the question of when they actually occurred:
- "מְלֹא הָעֹמֶר מִמֶּנּוּ לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת" – In verses 32-34, Moshe speaks of Hashem's command to preserve a portion of manna for posterity, by storing it "לִפְנֵי ה'". Did this occur only on the eve of the nation's entry into the land, when it became necessary to commemorate the soon to be lost miracle, or did it happen where written, right when the phenomenon began?
- "וַיַּנִּיחֵהוּ אַהֲרֹן לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת לְמִשְׁמָרֶת" – Verse 34 details Aharon's fulfillment of the command, and his placing of the manna "לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת", the Torah's common designation for the Ark of Testimony. At this point of the story, however, the Tabernacle and Ark have not yet been built, so this event could not have occurred before the second year in the Wilderness. It is not clear, though, if it took place right after the building, or at some later point. In addition, what is the relationship between the terms "לִפְנֵי ה'" found in the directive and "לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת" found here? Was the manna placed in two different places at different times, or are the terms identical and the verses speak of only one event?
- "וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָכְלוּ אֶת הַמָּן אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה" – Verse 35 discusses the duration of the miracle, bringing the reader all the way to the fortieth year. Since Yehoshua 5:10-12 teaches that the manna ceased falling only after crossing the Jordan, the verse might even be detailing events that took place after Moshe's death! Is that possible?
How much of verses 32-35 is an epilogue and how much of it occurred where written? To what time period is each verse really referring?
When was the Epilogue Written
When the Torah concludes a story by including a future event, when is that event recorded? Does Moshe receive all the information where it was supposed to be written and prophetically write it even before the event transpired, or does he add it in only after the fact? Did he do so immediately, or only at the end of the forty years? What about events that first happen after his death?
Textual and Philosophical Issues
- Why Aharon? – Why is Aharon specifically chosen to store the manna? Is this related to his role as priest or assistant to Moshe?
- "קְצֵה אֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן" versus "אֶרֶץ נוֹשָׁבֶת" – What is the relationship between these two terms; do both refer to the settled land of Arvot Moav, both to Israel, or one and one? If the terms are identical, why the repetition? If not, what is the verse trying to say about the cessation of the manna?
