When the Jews left Egypt and wandered in the desert for forty years, the food they ate was “manna.” This manna was special because it came from Hashem and was said to have had the ability to taste like any food you desire. Every day, the Jews would go outside to collect their portion of manna, and everyone had a specific amount they were supposed to take. If someone took too much, the manna would rot and become inedible, but if someone took too little, Hashem would provide them with more. The only day the Jews were allowed to take two servings of manna was on Shabbat. We can learn two ideas from manna: you have to work for what you get, and Hashem gives you exactly what you need.

The fact that the Jews had to go outside and collect a specific amount of manna for themselves shows us that we have to work for what we get. Hashem doesn’t hand over everything we desire on a silver platter. We each have to put in a little work on our end, and Hashem will provide us with our necessities. Rather than placing the exact amount of manna each person needed directly in their homes, Hashem distributed enough for everyone in one area. This way, people would have to go outside and collect for themselves.

The manna going bad shows us that Hashem provides us with exactly what we need, and if you attempt to take more, it won’t work out. Those who took too little manna received an increase in their portion. From them, we learn that when you truly need something, Hashem will provide it for you.