Shulchan Arach requires a blessing be made prior to receiving benefit from any food or drink. The Jews in the desert ate the Mahn (special bread from Heaven) for almost 40 years.
What blessing did the Jews make prior to eating this food (Mahn)?
Bnai Yissachar: HaMotzei The Torah calls the Mahn “bread” (Shmos 15).
R’ Yisrael Dov: No blessing This “food” was absorbed directly into the limbs without any waste or refinement of the digestive system.
R’ Menachem from Pano: On Shabbos bless “to eat the meal of Shabbos” On Shabbos eating is done in a higher manner for the sake of the Mitzvah, similar to eating Kodshim.
Zohar: Bless according to the taste Mahn could change to almost any taste desired. Thus, one would bless according to the selected taste (example, Mezones if desired cake, HaEitz if desired grapes).
Ben Ish Chai: “One who lowers bread from the Heavens” Per Berachos (48a) the first blessing of Bircas HaMazon was established from the Mahn. Thus, a blessing also must have been made prior to eating.
Chinuch (according to some): Implies no blessing Since the “food” changes as soon as one desires, if one made a blessing and could change the desire and the food prior to eating and the blessing would be in vain.
Chinuch: Shehakol Since one could fulfill the obligation for any food with this blessing, one could avoid the problems others cited.
Chemdas Yisrael: HaAdamah
Bemidbar 11, 8: "Shotu ha'am v'loktu" – “The people spread out and they collected.” The Holy Zohar translates "shotu" as "they acted foolishly." They had no need to put in so much effort to collect their manna. A person's livelihood comes to him without having to exert extreme effort.
The story is told of the shidduch of the Mahara"l of Prague. He became engaged to the daughter of a wealthy person when he was 15 years old. They agreed that he would continue to learn unhindered for a number of years and then enter into marriage and be supported so that he could continue his studies. In the interim his future father-in-law lost his money and became destitute. He notified the Mahara"l that he released him from any obligations, as he could no longer support him. The Mahara"l responded that he was not going to drop the shidduch, but the kallah is free to pursue another marriage partner. She likewise said that she would wait. The kallah opened a "sidewalk" baked-goods shop to help out her family. They remained as destitute as before. Ten years passed and the Mahara"l waited. A war ensued and soldiers entered their city and took over everything. One day a highly-placed soldier came by and with his lancet he speared the largest bread in her display. She cried to him to return it as she was the lone support for her elderly parents. He told her he had no money to give her, but since he was sitting on two saddles, one atop the other, he would give her one of them. Her got off his horse and lifted a saddle and tossed it to the ground and rode off. The weight of the saddle smashing against the ground ripped open a pouch on its side, and to her surprise gold coins started pouring out. She brought this pouch home to her father. He immediately notified the Mahara"l and their wedding took place shortly thereafter.
The Mahara"l attributed the turn of events to the kallah's total devotion to marrying a Torah Scholar and belief in HaShem's providing. (Niflo'os HaMahara"l)
