Is there a requirement of lechem mishneh on Yom Tov? Tosafos (Beitza 2b) states that this will depend on whether the mann fell on Yom Tov or if it fell double on Erev Yom Tov, as it did before Shabbos.
Based on the pasuk in the parsha of the mann, which came down before Shabbos, the Gemara tells us that we must also prepare everything before Shabbos and Yom Tov. Tosafos points out that the Gemara seems to be assuming that the mann fell on Erev Yom Tov.
Tosafos asks that this is in variance with the words of the Midrash that Shabbos had a special bracha that a double portion of mann came down on Erev Shabbos, which sounds like it was only for Shabbos, and not for Yom Tov.
Tosfos explains that it is indeed a difference of opinion between the Midrashim. According to one Midrash, the mann fell on Yom Tov, and there is no need for lechem mishneh on Yom Tov. According to the other Midrash, the mann fell double on Erev Yom Tov, and there is a requirement for lechem mishneh on Yom Tov.
HALACHICALLY SPEAKING
The Shulchan Aruch (O”C 529:1) rules that we should have lechem mishneh on Yom Tov as well. As the Mishnah Berura (s” k 10) explains, this is following the opinion that the mann did not fall on Yom Tov but rather, a double portion fell on Erev Yom Tov, just as it did for Shabbos.
WHEN SHABBOS & YOM TOV COME ONE AFTER ANOTHER
There is a fascinating question that is addressed by the Acharonim. We take lechem mishneh on Yom Tov, following the opinion that the mann did not fall on Yom Tov. If Yom Tov was right before or after Shabbos, presumably three portions of mann fell on the day before the Shabbos and Yom Tov. That being the case, there should be a requirement to take three challos to commemorate the fact that three portions fell. However, based on our discussion, we may have a possible solution:
If the Jews in the desert ate two challos at each meal, this would be unnecessary, because we are simply commemorating the two challos that they had by each meal, not the amount of mann that fell. And even according to the first explanation, that we are commemorating the two portions of mann that fell, it is possible that we are not commemorating the fact that a double portion came down, per se. We are commemorating the fact that they were sent down extra food before Shabbos, which enabled them to have enough for their Shabbos meals. Therefore, even if the delivery happened to have been three portions, including food for Shabbos and Yom Tov, the fact that an additional portion came down does not need honorable mention. The fact that the delivery had more for Yom Tov does not need to be mentioned on Shabbos. That will be commemorated on Yom Tov.
REMEMBERING THAT THE MANN DID NOT SPOIL OVERNIGHT
The Meshech Chochma has another answer to this question. He points to the pasuk that Moshe was angry at Dasan and Aviram, who kept the food overnight. Why does the pasuk mention that only Moshe was angry, and not Hashem? He explains that Moshe’s anger was because once their food spoiled, there was no more nisayon for them to leave it overnight, since it would spoil. However, Hashem was not upset, because a good thing resulted. Once Klal Yisroel saw that the mann would spoil when left overnight, they were able to appreciate the special bracha of Shabbos, when the mann did not spoil.
Based on this, the Meshech Chochma suggests that we take lechem mishneh every Shabbos in order to remember the miracle that the mann was left overnight and did not spoil. It is not a greater miracle if it lasted another day, as well. Thus, there would be no reason to take a third challah.
IN SUMMARY
There are three reasons for lechem mishneh:
- To remember the double delivery on Erev Shabbos
- To remember the doubling of the challos for each meal
- To remember the fact that the mann did not spoil overnight
We also discussed why we take lechem mishneh on Yom Tov and why we do not take three challos when Shabbos and Yom Tov come back to back.
RABBI NACHUM SCHEINER
