Epilogue to the Manna Story/2
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Epilogue to the Manna Story
Exegetical Approaches
First Year
Moshe's command to Aharon that he store a portion of manna "before Hashem" was fulfilled already in the first year, soon after the command was issued.
Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor Shor
To whom is Moshe speaking in vs. 32 – This position could posit that these words of Moshe were addressed to the nation at large, perhaps as they gathered the manna in the first days that it fell. Afterwards (in verse 33) Moshe turned specifically to Aharon with the details of how and where the manna was to be stored.
"לִפְנֵי י"י" versus "לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת" – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor distinguishes between the two terms. "לִפְנֵי י"י" refers to the altar where sacrifices were brought, while "לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת" refers to the Ark of Testimony in the Mishkan. Thus, the verses teach that at first the manna was placed near the altar for safekeeping, but after the Mishkan was built it was transferred there. Though verses 32-33 are in their chronological place, verse 34 is not and comes here only to complete the story.
Role of Aharon – Since at this point in Sefer Shemot, Aharon has not yet been appointed as a high priest, and the altar would have been accessible to all, it is not clear why the task of storing the manna was given to him specifically. Perhaps he was chosen not in any cultic capacity, but in his leadership role as Moshe's spokesman and assistant.
Chronology of verse 35 – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor would agree that verse 35 is found here only to complete the story.
Until when did they eat the manna?
When was this epilogue written?
Second Year
Aharon
Chronology of Command
To Whom is Moshe speaking in vs. 32
"לִפְנֵי י"י" versus "לִפְנֵי הָעֵדֻת"
Role of Aharon
Until when did they eat the manna?
When was this epilogue written?
