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Some of the questions discussed in this book are the following.
What is the ultimate way to elevate the soul of one’s parents?
How does the death process rectify a person’s soul?
What profound life lessons can we learn from gravestones?
In what ways can the concept of reincarnation help us better understand life?
What is the idea behind davening at gravesites?
What will happen at the Resurrection of the Dead?
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Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received Semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of the books, Fascinating Insights and Incredible Insights. His writings inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in a suburb of Yerushalayim where he studies, writes, and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
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Real Reliance
מן represents parnassah and as the Yerushalmi states one who says the parsha ofמן every day is assured that his food won’t be lacking.[1] The Levush says this teaches us that Hashem provides each day’s sustenance just as He did with the מן each day in the desert. Indeed, on Tuesday Parshas Beshalach we say פרשת המן as a segulah for parnassah.
We are told in regard to the מן that everyone gathered according to how much he eats whether they took more or less. The portion for everyone was the same: an Omer.[2] The same applies with parnassah as it is fixed from Rosh Hashanah whether we put in more effort or not.[3]
This is alluded to in the custom of dipping our Challah in honey: Our parnassah is set from Rosh Hashana and the מן represents reliance on Hashem. In regard to the מן (symbolizing Challah[4]) it says כצפיחת בדבש, like a cake fried in honey.[5] Dipping the Challah in honey represents that we rely on Hashem for parnassah. It comes as no surprise that מן is from the term אמונה. Indeed, מן הוא comprises the word אמונה.[6] We are taught it is called מן because מן הוא, meaning it is beyond intellect, complete Emuna.
With acquiring this Emuna one attains the proper outlook. In the town of Brisk a fire broke out and it seemed a neighboring store would be burned down. The investor told the storeowner, “I’ll buy half of your goods for a cheaper price and if your store burns down, I’ll lose out. However, if it doesn’t then I gain.” He declined the offer. In the end the store didn’t burn down making the owner feel smart and arrogant. R’ Chaim Brisker said that really what he did wasn’t smart. According to the laws of nature it should have burned down and therefore he should have sold it. He said that we see that if there is a decree from Hashem not to lose your money, you won’t lose it even if you are foolish.
Parshas Beshalach, which speaks about the מן, is saturated with Emuna in addition to what we already mentioned. The end of Parshas Beshalach deals with Amalek who is the opposite of Emuna.[7] The Jews asked היש ה’ בקרבנו אם אין, is Hashem in our midst or not.[8] This was a problem in Emuna. Therefore, the next words are ויבא עמלק, the antithesis of Emuna. This originates from the nachash by whom it says השיאני.[9] Examining this word we notice it is composed of היש and אין. How does Parshas Beshalach end? Withעד בא השמש ויהי ידיו אמונה, Moshe implanted Emuna into us until Moshiach arrives.[10]
[1] It is interesting to note the word מן and money sound similar as if they are related.
[2] Shemos 16:17 Rashi, 16:18.
[3] Beitza 16a. R’ Yeruchem in Daas Torah, Beshalach, 16:4.
[4] As this is a reason for Lechem Mishna on Shabbos and as it says לקטו לחם משנה (MIshna Brura, Hilchos Shabbos 274:1).
[5] Shemos 16:31.
[6] Shemos 16:15. One explanation in this is since they only received enough for that day, it required Emuna not to worry about having for tomorrow.
[7] This is alluded to in the gematria of עמלק which is 240. This is identical in gematria to ספק, doubt (in Emuna of Hashem).
[8] Shemos 17:7.
[9] Breishis 3:13.
[10] Shemos 17:12.
