What is the definition of "Selav"?
Rashi: It is a fat bird called 'a quail.'
Why does the Torah write "Vata'al" (and not "Vet'hi) ha'Selav
R. Bachye: Because Hashem brought the quails in a way that appeared natural, 1 as oppoased to the Manna, which was totally miraculous ? in connetion with which it wrote "u'va'Boker Haysah Shichvas ha'Tal". 2
R. Bachye: Like "Va'ta'al ha'Tzefarde'a" in Va'eira 8:2.
Like it wrote in connection with the creation of light in Bereishis 1:3 "Vay'hi Or!" See R. Bachye who, citing the Mechilta, goes on to describe the process from the time the north-wind swept the desert clean in preparation for it to fll.
In Pasuk 38, the Torah tells us that Yisrael ate the Manna for forty years. For how long did they eat the quails?
R. Bachye: For forty years they ate the Manna fell in the day and the quails in the evening (as is self-understood). 1
R. Bachye: And the reason that the Torah menwtions the Manna and not the quails is because of its miraculous qualities. Refer also to 16:13:1.01:1.
What is the significance of the Selav?
Maharal (Derush Al ha'Torah, p. 20): Like all of their sustenance in the Midbar, it was Ruchani; it transcended the physical. Refer to 16:4:152:1 and its note. 1
Also review our other comments from Maharal on that Pasuk, regarding the Manna.
Why is "Selav" written with the letter 'Sin,' and not with a Samech?
Yoma 75b: Because on the one hand, for the Resha'im, it felt like a thorn (Silon) in their throats, whereas the Tzadikim ate it in tranquility ('b'Shalvah' - pronounced with a Shin). 1
See Torah Temimah, citing the Mechilta - which has a different version of the answer.
How will we reconcile this Pasuk, which writes that a layer of dew fell on top of the Manna, with the Pasuk in Bamidbar 11:9, which describes how the Manna fell on to a layer of dew?
Rashi: In fact, the Manna lay between two layers of dew, as if it was in a box, thereby keeping it fresh.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "Ha'Selav - A type of bird; and it is very fat." Why does Rashi need to specify this?
Gur Aryeh #1: Rashi is explaining the Hey prefix (the definite article) in "ha'Selav" - what is the Selav which we already know of? It must refer to a species that was famous both in prestige and in fat content.
Gur Aryeh #2: Rashi is explaining why Hashem sent specifically this type of meat.
