1)

What is the significance of the fact that neither they, nor their fathers had known about the Manna?

1.

Ramban #1: The fact that one can live on the supernatural Manna for a long period of time was a Chidush that neither they nor their ancestors would have conceived possible. 1

2.

Ramban #2 (citing the Midrash Rabah): The Torah is pointing out the tremendous Chesed that Hashem had performed for the first time 2 by feeding them Heavenly grain, something that neither they nor their holy forefathers 3 had ever merited before. And this teaches us that, since Hashem can sustain man in whichever way He decrees, we should keep His Mitzvos in order to live.


1

See R. Chavel's notes.

2

Ramban: On the merit of Moshe.

3

Ramban: Despite the fact that they had followed Him in whatever He had commanded them - See Bereishis 12:1.

2)

What are the implications of "Vaye'ancha, Vayar'ivecha Vaya'achilcha es ha'Man ... "?

1.

Ramban #1, Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh (in Pasuk 1): They all refer to the Manna. 1

2.

Ramban #2 and Moshav Zekenim: "He afflicted you" - by leading you through the desert 2 for forty years; "He starved you" - at first; 3 "And He fed you the Manna" - after that 4 (thereby removing all toil and afflicton - Moshav Zekenim).

3.

Sanhedrin, 99a: We learn, via a Gezirah Shavah "Vaye'ancha" "Samcheinu ki'Yemos Inisanu" - Tehilim, 90:15 - that the era of Mashi'ach will last for forty years. 5


1

Refer to 8:2:2:1 and to 8:16:1 & 2. See also Oznayim la'Torah who elaborates. Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh (in Pasuk 1): As the Pasuk writes in Tehilim, 102:24 ? "Inah ba'Derech Kochi ... ". Because one cannot compare someone who has no bread in his basket to someone who does, as the Gemara states in Yoma 18b.

2

Ramban: As in Tehilim, 102:24.

3

See Sh'mos 16:3.

4

The Ramban proceeds to explain Pesukim 15, 16 in similar fashion. He concludes however, that although this explanation is more basic, his first explanation is the more correct one.

5

See Torah Temimah, note 1.

3)

Why do we need to be told on what man lives?

1.

Rashi (in Seifer ha'Pardes, 179): Because man lives, not on bread alone but on whatever comes out of Mouth of Hashem ... " hints at the B'rachah Achronah of 'Borei Nefashos'.

2.

Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh: To teach us thatt one should not place one's trust in food, rather, on what comes from Hashem's mouth - His Mitzvos which give life, in this world and in the world to come.

3.

Peninim mi'Shulchan ha'Gra (Bereishis 1:29): Initially, vegetation would not have sustained man and animals. However, the last utterance of creation ("Nasati lachem es Kol Eisev? le'Ochlah") infused it with a nature to nourish and satiate them, as the current Pasuk concludes - "Lo al ha'Lechem Levado Yichyeh ha'Adam, Ki al Kol Motza Fi Hashem Yichyeh ha'Adam "

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