This week we read how the Jews miraculously crossed the sea and sang an epic song of thanks to G-d. Then, shortly thereafter the Manna (called Mahn) which fed them for 40 years in the desert, began to fall.
But surprisingly the Jews never sang a song of thanks for the Manna. they only complained about it!
This doesn’t make sense. First of all, without the Manna they would have died of starvation, and each Jew got an individual portion every day.
Even more, the splitting of the sea was a one-time occurrence, for sure they should have given the daily miracle of Mahn at least some positive reaction. Why did they praise only at the sea?
Also, this Shabbat precedes the holiday of TU (fifteenth) B'Shvat; mentioned in the beginning of Tractate Rosh HaShanna as the "New Year for Trees". It has no special prayers or commandments and is important mainly to farmers in the Land of Israel. But spiritually the holiday is very potent. Trees are compared to man: the roots; hidden deep down but the basis of life are like faith. The trunk is like the man himself and the fruits are like good deeds.
Is there a connection?
To understand this, here is a story
A Story of Renewal
This story took place some one hundred years ago in the city of Spinka, Hungary (Source: Yerachmiel Tilles, ascentofsafed.com)
It was the night of Tu B'Shvat, and a large gathering of Chasidim surrounded the table of Rabbi Yosef Meir; the Rebbe of Spinka (a town in Hungary). The Rebbe sat at the head of the table, explaining in great depth the Kabalistic significance of the New Year for trees and the things that trees have in common with men:
"With great care and effort, even a crooked, barren tree that has lacked nourishment and water can grow. Indeed, with proper devotion and persistence it is possible to even transform it into one that bears fruit."
At that moment, a middle aged, bearded, well-dressed Jew carrying a gigantic basket bulging with choice fruits from Israel entered the room, walked over to the Rebbe and set it down on the table before him.
Looking up and seeing his guest, the Rebbe smiled broadly. He invited the man to sit beside him and showed him the most remarkable warmth. Many of the Chasidim had never seen this man before. Who was this man who had brought such a stunning fruit basket and had been honored by such tokens of the Rebbe's affection?
The Rebbe distributed the fruits to his followers, each made a blessing and ate and the Rebbe requested the visitor to face the crowd and tell his story. Everyone looked with anticipation at the guest as he rose, straightened his long suit coat, glanced again at the Rebbe for approval and then began.
"I was born in Germany," he said, "The secular education and upbringing I received at home was devoid of any connection to Judaism or Torah or Commandments. My father and grandfather identified with the Haskalah ("Enlightenment") movement in Germany that scoffed at religion and anything that didn't make sense to them, and raised me accordingly.
"When I about twenty years old I decided to move here, to Hungary, I opened a textile factory. At first, I sold my goods only in the surrounding area, but success soon smiled on me and my business expanded greatly. I sent my merchandise to every part of the country and even to neighboring countries. Everything was wonderful.
"Then one morning I happened on a rare deal; a chance to purchase an enormous quantity of high-quality raw textiles at a very low price. I went to the seller, inspected the merchandise and saw that it was of high quality just as he said. The agreement was that, because the he desperately needed cash, which was why he was selling for so cheap, I would have to pay for all the materials up front, which was a very large sum of money, and they would be delivered to me immediately. I went home, got the money together and was already mentally counting up the tremendous profits I would make from the deal as I made my way back to the seller.
I paid, returned to my office and I was thinking pleasurably about the successful deal I had just concluded, when the supplier of the materials walked into my office with two other well-dressed men, said the cloths were outside ready to be delivered but he demanded his payment for what he had sold me!
"At first I thought he was joking. Just an hour earlier, when he took my money, he seemed so friendly and trustworthy. Now it became clear that I had fallen into a trap. I didn’t have a receipt for the cash I gave him. I realized that when I brought him the money he distracted me and I forgot to ask for a receipt. He aroused no suspicion. I simply trusted him! Now he was screaming and waving the contract I had signed agreeing to pay in advance for the materials.
"Furious, I threw him out of my office, but he was unmoved by my anger. He turned, narrowed his eyes in feigned disgust and informed me that he planned to sue me in court for his time, effort and ‘losses’ and he slammed the door and left.
"I sat slumped in my seat, feeling totally helpless. I had no proof that I gave him money. It was clear if he took me to court, he would win the case. Suddenly instead of the vast profits I had anticipated, I was a poor man. He took almost all I had.
“I tried to get a lawyer but without any proof or witnesses to support my claims none of them wanted to represent me.
"Then it happened that I ran into an acquaintance, a religious Jew, and when he saw my distress and heard my story he told me not to worry, that all was not lost.
I figured he meant that he had a good lawyer or connections with the judge and started to breathe easily. I asked him how much it would cost but he answered that he had a Rebbe and it wouldn't cost me anything. He actually suggested that I accompany him to this Rebbe of his and ask for advice.
At first I wanted to just ignore him, I thought he was crazy! Rebbes? Blessings? For free? How could it be for free! It probably didn't cost anything because it wasn't worth anything; that's what I thought to myself. But in my despair, I was ready to do anything. So I agreed.
"I'll never forget the glow in the Rebbe's eyes that evening when I was first privileged to enter his room. I could not conquer the tears that coursed down my cheeks, and managed only with difficulty to tell the Rebbe what had befallen me. When I finished my story, the Rebbe waited a few seconds in thought and then asked if I was Shabbat observant.
I barely knew what Shabbat was, and did not attach much significance to his question. I explained that a good deal of my business was done on Shabbat, making it impossible for me to refrain from working on that day. But I promised to give him money if he saved me.
"The Rebbe went on to ask if I was careful to eat only kosher food. I answered in the negative, justifying myself by saying that business pressures prevented me from paying attention to such details. But, in fact, it was totally unimportant to me.
"Then the Rebbe asked if I at least put on Tefillin. Once again, my answer was no. I was already feeling a bit uncomfortable. I couldn't figure what this Rebbe wanted. On one hand I had never seen such a holy person but on the other hand he kept asking these crazy questions that had nothing to do with my problem.
'Rebbe!' I said to him 'I'm going to lose millions of dollars; I'll be a debtor. Give me some advice! Or maybe put a curse on that cheater. Help me!! I'll give you some of the money! I'll give you half! Please save me!'
"But it didn't help. The Rebbe began to try to persuade me to put on Tefillin. 'If you agree to put on Tefillin each morning,' he said, 'I guarantee that you will emerge from your trial having won your case.'
But I don't have Tefillin! I protested. 'I'll get you some' he replied.
'But I don't know how to put them on!' ‘I'll teach you' he answered.
'But I have no time!' ‘If HaShem could split the sea He will give you the time.' He replied.
'But I never put them on in my life' 'You'll get used to it' he said.
"After much inner debate, I agreed. He ordered one of his Chassidim to give me a pair and left him with a lighter heart. From that day on tried not to think about the court case and every morning I put on Tefillin like they showed me. It wasn't easy for a man like me, and sometimes I nearly stopped .... until I reminded myself of the Rebbe's promise.
"Meanwhile I tried again to get a lawyer, but again they all refused so the Tefillin, and G-d, became my only hope.
My day in court arrived. It was like now; Tu B'Shvat, exactly one year ago today. My chances of winning the case seemed nil, but I went in in good spirits, inexplicably placing my trust in the Rebbe's promise.
"The supplier had two lawyers. He portrayed me as a cheater, a man who wanted to take his material and refuse to pay. To back up his claim, he presented the contract I had signed promising to pay. I then took the stand and told the truth, that I had paid but didn't get a receipt.
I can’t explain it, but the judge thought for a moment, pounded his gavel and believed me! He was persuaded of the truth of my story and ordered the supplier to give me the goods. Just like that!
I couldn't believe it! The commandments weren't just superstitions like I was taught! They actually worked!!!
Well, after that I went to the Rebbe told him what had happened and he just answered "One mitzva brings another." And he was right; the commandment of Tefillin dragged me along to begin observing other mitzvot. I began eating kosher, learning Torah and from that day on, my offices were closed on Shabbat. Not only has this not harmed my interests, but business has boomed! I have begun to live a full life of Torah and mitzvot, who knows, maybe I’m becoming an actual Chasid."
The man smiled joyously and continued.
"Today, is the anniversary of the day when I won my court case; Tu B'Shvat! I was, so to speak, like a withered tree but the Rebbe renewed my Jewish roots and produce Jewish fruits! That's why every year I, will G-d willing bring the Rebbe a basket of the best fruits as well as a nice donation."
Lessons from the Story
Now we can answer our questions about singing at the sea and not for the Manna and Tu BShvat.
The reason the Jews sang after the parting of the sea was because G-d did everything: He drowned their enemies and ended their worries. So they sang! Something like the man in our story after he won the courtcase.
But the Manna was totally different; First of all, it required work; it had to be gathered up and prepared every day. Second, it required faith; could not be saved for the next day so the people were totally dependent on G-d. Third, they were not allowed to gather it on Shabbat so they had to control themselves. Finally, the Manna didn’t satisfy. It only removed hunger and although it could change its taste it always had the same, unappetizing appearance. Like the man in our story when the Rebbe forced him to do commandments.
In other words, the splitting of the sea made them feel free, so they sang. While the Manna made them feel like servants humbled them, as servants, so they complained!
But they were mistaken. In truth, the lesson of the Manna, being a servant, was much more valuable.
In fact, the only reason G-d put us into Egypt for 210 years was to learn to be servants as G-d said: ‘They are MY servants (Lev. 25:42).
The prophet tells us it will happen again. (Micha 7:15) "Just as when you left Egypt I will again show you miracles." And he is referring to the future redemption by the Moshiach. In other words; then there will be again the splitting of the sea and the giving of Mahn.
The splitting of the sea are the miracles which G-d will do, while the eating of Mahn is Chassidut which will teach us what we must do to be truly servants of and partners with G-d in our entire physical and spiritual existence.
This is the connection to Tu B'Shvat that then our roots must be deep and our fruits many as in our story. Through this we will fix the sin of the Tree of Knowledge and rejoice with Moshiach.
And as the Lubavitcher Rebbe said repeatedly; this should happen at any moment. We are standing on the merits of thousands of years of Jewish service, hopes, prayers and suffering. Now just one more good deed, word of even thought, if done with selfless JOY can bring ....
MOSHIACH NOW!!!
Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Israel
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