What is the meaning of "Shatu ha'Am ... "?
Rashi, R. Bachye #1, Rashbam and Targum Onkelos: It means that the people picked up the Manna as they strolled around.
R. Bachye #2: It has connotations of 'Shelichus' - hinting at the Malach Matatron (the Shali'ach of Hashem), 1 who was in charge of the Manna. And this is also hinted in the words " ? ha'aM velkTu ve'Tachno ba'Rechayim O ? ha'shameN". 2
Targum Yonasan and Moshav Zekenim: It means that the Resha'im had to go out and search for the Manna. 3
If the people had to grind or pound it and then cook the Manna, what is the significance of the glowing description of the Manna - in the previous Pasuk - when it fell (See Sifsei Chachamim)?
Rashi: What the Pasuk means is that one only had to wish the Manna to taste like something that has been ground, pounded or cooked for it to adopt that taste - and that when they ate it, it retained the appearance that it had when it fell.
R. Bachye: "Velaktu"implies that they could eat it as it was, and what theTorah means is that they could eat it raw, grind it in a hand-mill, pound it in a wooden or a stone-mill or could it, and it always tasted exceptionally good - unlike most foods which can be eaten in one way but not in another.
Moshav Zekenim: The current Pasuk refers to the Resha'im who had to grind it, pound it and cook it - which explains why a man went to collect wood on Shabbos, in order to cook, whereas the previous Pasuk is referring to the Tzadikim, who ate it as it was.;
What is the definition of "L'shad ha'Shamen"?
Rashi #1 (citing Dunash and Targum Onkelos 1 ): 'L'shad' is an oil-cake 2 (that was kneaded with oil).
Rashi #2 (citing the Sifri) and Targum Yonasan. It is a breast of oil - though Rashi himself does not understand the connection between the two words. 3
Rashi #3: It is the acronym of 'Layish' (a fresh cake); 'Shemen' (kneaded with oil); 'D'vash' (and prepared with honey).
Why does the Torah refer here to the Manna as 'cake', and in Sh'mos (16:15) as 'bread'?
Yoma, 75a: For the Tzadikim and the Beinonim, it arrived in the form of cake and for the Resha'im, as bread.
Why does the Torah describe the Manna as 'an oil-cake', and in Sh'mos 16:30, as 'a honey-cake'?
Rashbam and Moshav Zekenim: Initially it tasted like a honey-cake, but once they ground it, its taste changed to one kneaded with oil. 1
Rashbam: In the same way as the taste of olives and nuts changes when they have been ground into oil.
How does this Pasuk answer their complaint?
Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: Refer to 11:7:2:1.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that it tasted like something that has been ground, pounded or cooked, but they did not do so. It says "Asher Tofu Eifu? Bashelu" (Sh'mos 16:23)! Surely mere intent to taste like this is permitted on Shabbos?
Moshav Zekenim: Its taste would change only through speech. Therefore, it is considered Tikun. 1 Annulling vows for the sake of Shabbos was a question (Nedarim 77a). There it is permitted, but this is more Tikun.
Oznayim la'Torah: It was only during the week that the intention alone sufficed to prepare the Manna for eatoing; on Friday, one had to physically prepare the Manna, in order to fulfill the Mitzvah of preparing for Shabbos.
Teshuvas Rav C. Kanievsky 2334: Why is this worse than cooking in the sun, which is permitted? That is a Shinuy, which is permitted. Intent is not a Shinuy.
